1
Standard Treatment for
Common Illnesses of Children
in Papua New Guinea
A MANUAL FOR
NURSES, COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS,
HEALTH EXTENSION OFFICERS, AND DOCTORS
Ninth Edition
2011
2
3
TALK WITH THE MOTHER AND IF POSSIBLE THE FATHER
Always:
- Discuss the child’s illness and treatment with the parents
- Discuss good nutrition
- Discuss family planning
- Ask the mother to always bring the Child Health Record Book
whenever the child comes to a health centre or hospital.
IMMUNISATION
Use every opportunity to immunise every child who is due or overdue
for vaccines. The only exception is in the case of a child with a fever
above 38
°
C who should not be given Pentavalent (Triple Antigen,
Hepatitis B and Hib) vaccines. Measles vaccine should be given even if
the child has a fever or is sick.
SHORTAGE OF MEDICINES
If you run out of any of the medicines in this book, contact the CEO of
your Provincial Health Authority / Provincial Health Advisor urgently.
They will try to get them for you or tell you what to use instead.
ON ADMISSION
- Weigh every child
- Record the weight and age
- Mark the weight on the weight chart
- Treat any malnutrition
- Immunise the child and the other members of the family if they
are due or overdue for immunisation.
4
POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE LIFE OF THIS
EDITION
Health Department policies are updated as new knowledge, new
medicines and new vaccines become available. It is almost inevitable
that new policies will be introduced during the life of the present edition
of this handbook.
PNEUMOCOCCAL CONJUGATE VACCINE
Streptococcus pneumonia (pneumococcus) is one of the bacteria that
commonly cause pneumonia and meningitis in young children. There is a
good vaccine against pneumococcus, and the pneumococcal vaccination
programme in many countries has been very successful. The vaccine can
be given with at the same time as the Pentavalent vaccine (see below).
However, the pneumococcal vaccine is expensive compared to other
vaccines currently used in PNG, and before the Health Department
introduces it we must be sure that the majority of children will be
reached through the vaccination program, and the vaccine is delivered in
good condition.
HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B (Hib) VACCINE
(PENTAVALENT)
We must make every effort to improve the Haemophilus vaccine
coverage, which is given as Pentavalent (consisting of Triple Antigen
(DTP), hepatitis and Hib vaccines), by vaccinating infants at every
opportunity.
MEASLES VACCINE BOOSTER DOSE
Everything possible must be done to increase the coverage of measles
vaccine. Currently the schedule in PNG is to give a dose at 6 months and
then another at 9 months. These are the primary doses, and it is essential
to achieve high coverage with these (90% of all children) if measles
epidemics are to be avoided. Some countries have further improved the
control of measles by adding an additional dose at the time of school
entry (about 5 years). This may be necessary in the near future in PNG,
but until then we should make every effort to improve measles vaccine
coverage, by vaccinating infants at every opportunity.
5
Standard Treatment for
Common Illnesses of Children
in Papua New Guinea
A MANUAL FOR NURSES,
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS,
HEALTH EXTENSION OFFICERS AND DOCTORS
Ninth Edition
2011
Published with Support from
AusAID
6
HOW TO GET THIS BOOK
Health workers in PNG may obtain copies of this book from their
Provincial Health Advisor, CEO of Provincial Health Authority, from
their Provincial Paediatricians or from the Paediatric Society of Papua
New Guinea (address at the back of the book).
DIFFERENT TREATMENTS
The treatment regimens in this book are simple, safe and effective. They
are appropriate for use in most health facilities in PNG, including
hospitals. It is recognized, however, that doctors sometimes may use
different treatments from those outlined in this book, depending on
individual circumstances of the patient and availability of facilities and
medications.
WHEN TO USE THIS BOOK
This handbook should be used whenever health workers in PNG see sick
children. It is important to check your diagnosis and to carefully follow
the treatment steps in the book. Always check the drug doses in the drug
tables. Do not rely on memory, as mistakes are easily made.
This handbook replaces all previous editions. When you receive this
handbook your old handbook should be put away.
Supervisors and in-service tutors should go through the sections of this
book whenever they are teaching health staff on childhood diseases.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
- A sick child may have more than one problem. Always use the
Check List for all Sick Children or the Check List for Infants < 2
months to avoid missing a problem which has not been noticed
by the parents.
- Use the Contents page to look up the diseases or conditions that
the child has. Go to those sections of the book and decide on the
severity of the problems and what treatments are needed.
- Always check drug doses in the Drug Doses Tables.
7
CHANGES IN THIS EDITION
• The addition of 3 more step to the Child Health Check list for all Sick
Children
• Minor changes to the Check list for Infants < 2 Months
• Minor changes to the asthma section
• Changes to Babies Born Before Arrival (BBA) section
• Additions to Babies Less than 2.2Kg Weight section
• Additions to Babies-Neonatal Infections section
• Additions to Babies-Drug Doses table
• Addition of Flow Chart and changes to diarrhoea section, addition of
Cholera
• Addition of Pentavalent (DTP-HepB-Hib) vaccine to the immunization
section
• Addition of Flow Chart to HIV infection section
• Addition of Flow Chart and New Regimen for Malaria treatment
• Changes to section on Meningitis or Severe Sepsis
• Addition of Flow Chart and changes to Pneumonia section
• Minor changes to Poisoning section
• Updated section on Pigbel
• Addition of a Rheumatic Heart Disease Section
• Minor changes to Skin Diseases section
• Minor changes to Snake Bite section
• Addition of New TB Regimen to the TB section
• Additions to Drug Doses table
• Addition to the IV and Oral Fluid tables
Note: In general, restrict the use of injections to very sick children
Most sick children can take oral medications, and these are effective. Drugs
should be given intravenously or intramuscularly only when the child is very
sick and unable to take any oral medicines. When the child improves it is best
to give oral treatment (except for very young children with meningitis p 89).
This policy is kinder for the children, but it is also less expensive, and will
help to reduce the risk of HIV infection from contaminated syringes. It is
important though to make sure that the oral medications are taken properly
(observe the child if you can, or instruct the parent to observe the child closely
when taking medications).
8
FOREWORD
9
th
Edition
PAEDIATRIC STANDARD TREATMENT BOOK
NEW EDITION 2011
The Papua New Guinea Child Health Plan which was launched in 2010 and which
is in line with the National Vision 2050 Plan is a remarkable document and has
been adopted by Papua New Guinea Child Health services to address the welfare of
children and to ensure that appropriate health services for children are provided.
We all hope that the years of childhood are a time in which all children are healthy,
protected from harm and surrounded by loving and nurturing adults who help them
grow and develop to their full potential.
Papua New Guinea welcomes almost 150,000 more children into the world each
year. These births are a joyful experience for the families into which they occur, an
experience of greatest blessings. But they also represent an obligation to all
responsible parents and the State, to ensure that their rights to are fulfilled
respected and protected. In protecting the rights of young children to good health,
we have to pursue cost effective treatment regimens as prescribed in this revised
paediatric standard treatment manual.
Let there be a warm welcome for this 9
th
Edition of the Paediatric Standard
Treatment Manual. The earlier editions were most valuable and have been
extensively used by health workers in Papua New Guinea. Since the last edition
much more information has become available. This edition of the Paediatric
Standard Treatment Manual has taken into account new policies, updated treatment
regimens and new developments.
I commend the efforts of the Paediatric Society of Papua New Guinea in updating
this treatment manual and request full adherence and compliance to the standard
treatment regimens on the part of all health workers in Papua New Guinea.
Dr Clement Malau
Secretary
9
Table of Contents
Checklist For Sick Children: 2 MTHM- 5 YRS ............................................................................................. 11
Checklist for Infants: less than Months .......................................................................................................... 12
Paediatric Rules ................................................................................................................................................. 13
Anaemia .............................................................................................................................................................. 16
Asthma ................................................................................................................................................................ 20
Babies – Born Before Arrival (BBA) ............................................................................................................... 23
Babies Less Than 2.2kg Weight ........................................................................................................................ 24
Babies – Neonatal Infections ............................................................................................................................. 26
Babies – Drug Doses: For babies less than 4 weeks of age ............................................................................. 28
Breast Feeding .................................................................................................................................................... 32
Burns and Scalds ............................................................................................................................................... 34
Child Abuse ........................................................................................................................................................ 36
Child Sexual Abuse and Rape and Treatment ................................................................................................ 37
Colds and URTI ................................................................................................................................................. 39
Conjunctivitis ..................................................................................................................................................... 40
Convulsions ........................................................................................................................................................ 41
Diarrhoea ............................................................................................................................................................ 44
Fever ................................................................................................................................................................... 57
HIV Infection ..................................................................................................................................................... 58
Immunisation ..................................................................................................................................................... 63
PNG Immunization Schedule ........................................................................................................................... 64
Lymph Gland Enlargement .............................................................................................................................. 66
Malaria ............................................................................................................................................................... 67
Malnutrition ....................................................................................................................................................... 75
Measles ................................................................................................................................................................ 85
Medicine For Mothers To Take Home ............................................................................................................ 86
Meningitis or Severe Sepsis .............................................................................................................................. 87
Milk Mixtures .................................................................................................................................................... 91
Oedema (swelling) .............................................................................................................................................. 93
Osteomyelitis, Septic Arthritis and Pyomyositis ............................................................................................. 94
Otitis Media - Acute .......................................................................................................................................... 95
Otitis Media - Chronic ...................................................................................................................................... 96
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) ............................................................................................................................ 98
Pigbel ................................................................................................................................................................. 101
Pneumonia or Bronchiolitis ............................................................................................................................ 102
Poisoning ........................................................................................................................................................... 108
Resuscitation .................................................................................................................................................... 110
10
Rheumatic Fever and Rhuematic Heart Disease .......................................................................................... 112
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) ......................................................................................................... 113
Skin Diseases .................................................................................................................................................... 116
Snake Bite ......................................................................................................................................................... 118
Tuberculosis ..................................................................................................................................................... 121
Typhoid ............................................................................................................................................................. 133
Urinary Symptoms .......................................................................................................................................... 135
Yaws .................................................................................................................................................................. 136
Tables of Drug Doses ....................................................................................................................................... 137
Tab les of IV and Oral Fluids………………………………………………………………………..... 149
11
CHECKLIST FOR SICK CHILDREN: 2 MTHS- 5 YRS
Greet the mother then ask her what is wrong with her child
STEP 1 !
p.14
"
STEP 2 !
Does the child have COUGH or DIFFICULT BREATHING?
Check for Fast breathing and chest indrawings.
p. 105
"
STEP 3 !
p. 44
"
STEP 4 !
p. 57,
67,88
"
STEP 5 !
p. 87
"
STEP 6 !
p. 97, 98
"
STEP 7 !
p. 16
"
STEP 8 !
p. 75
"
STEP 9 !
p. 16, 75
44, 105
"
STEP 10 !
p. 32
"
STEP 11 !
p.58
"
STEP 12 !
p. 63, 64
STEP 13 !
12
CHECKLIST FOR INFANTS: LESS THAN 2 MONTHS
Follow each of the 8 steps for every infant <2 months
Greet the mother, and ask her what is wrong with her baby
STEP 1 !
IS THE INFANT TOO SICK? Assess for DANGER signs:
# Unable to suck or feed
# Respiratory rate more than 60
# Respiratory Rate less than 20 (or periods of apnoea)
# Severe chest in-drawing
# Central cyanosis
# Skin of arms and legs very cold
p. 14, 23, 26
Give oxygen, antibiotics, fluids, and discuss with a doctor
"
STEP 2 →
ASK ABOUT FEVER
Look for signs of bacterial infection or malaria
p. 57
"
STEP 3 !
LOOK FOR JAUNDICE
Look for yellow eyes and yellow feet
See Paeds for
doctors in PNG,
p.177
"
STEP 4 !
ASSESS BABY’S WEIGHT
Weigh the baby and assess the growth curve
See weight
chart centre
p. 80,81
"
STEP 5 !
ASK ABOUT BABY’S FEEDING
Check feeding pattern: emphasize exclusive breast feeding
p. 32
"
STEP 6..!
CHECK FOR MALFORMATIONS
Check mouth for cleft, feet for clubbing, genitalia and anus
See Paeds for
doctors in PNG,
p.85
"
STEP 7 !
ASK ABOUT IMMUNISATIONS
Check the immunisation record and give vaccines due
p. 63, 64
"
STEP 8!
ASK ABOUT FAMILY PLANNING
p. 83
Discuss options for contraception if parents interested
Always discuss with mother/parents the problems that you have
found, the treatment that you will give and what they should do.
13
PAEDIATRIC RULES
1. Immunise Always check the health record book and immunise
if the child is due for it.
- There is no contra-indication to giving measles vaccine.
- Pentavalent and hepatitis B vaccines should not be given if the
child has a fever above 38ºC. They should be given when the
temperature has settled.
- Check the child’s brothers and sisters and immunise them if
their vaccines are not up to date.
- Always immunize a child who is due for vaccinations even if he
is the only one attending the clinic. Never fail to immunize a
child just to save vaccines.
- If the mother is pregnant she needs tetanus toxoid. Check that
she is going to antenatal clinic
- Give vitamin A supplementation doses to all children at 6
months and one year of age and to others aged 1-4 years as
appropriate.
2. Admit children who have any of the following:
- Severe chest in-drawing
- Severe dehydration
- Convulsion with fever
- Fever and not able to feed
- Drowsiness or confusion
- Abdominal pain and severe vomiting
- Oedema (swelling)
- Weight less than 60% line, and flat or falling weight curve
- MUAC less than 12.5cm
- Sudden onset of paralysis
- Swelling of limb or joint
- Under 6 months with whooping cough
- Stridor (noisy breathing)
- Snake bite
- Swallowed poison
- Passing blood in the urine
- Vomiting blood or passing a lot of blood in the stool
14
PAEDIATRIC RULES (continued)
- History of unconsciousness after head injury
- Suspicious injuries that do not fit the history given
- Neonates with any sign of serious bacterial infection
3. Weigh Always weigh the child. Plot the weight on the weight chart
in the health record book. Give the correct dose of medicine for this
weight.
4. Refer to hospital:
Urgent referral for babies with:
- DANGER signs
- Imperforate anus
- Bile stained vomiting
- Frequent vomiting and lots of saliva in the first few hours of life
- Meningitis
- Severe jaundice
- Sepsis who are not improving after 2 days treatment
- Ambiguous genitalia (where you are not sure whether the baby
is a boy or a girl)
Urgent referral for children with
- DANGER signs
- Conjunctivitis who are not improving after 2 days treatment
- Meningitis who are not improving after 2 days treatment
- Coma
- Fever, tenderness and swelling of a limb or a joint that does not
improve after 2 days treatment
- Blood in the urine, who do not improve after 2 days treatment
- Kwashiorkor
- Distended, tender abdomen
- Sudden onset of paralysis
- Polyuria (passing a lot of urine), dehydration and sweet smelling
breath (they may have diabetes)
- Cholera
15
PAEDIATRIC RULES (continued)
Non-urgent but important referral for children with
- Slow development or who are poorly responsive and who have
an umbilical hernia.
- Persistent heart murmur
- Frequent asthma
- Malnutrition that does do not respond to treatment
- Any child not responding to standard treatment
5. Use oral medications where possible. Avoid giving injections
unless the child is moderately or severely sick. Always use a new
needle and syringe when giving injections. Contaminated needles
may transmit HIV and other serious infections.
Intramuscular injections to children less than 2 years of age should
be given in the upper and outer part of the thigh.
6. Do not give single doses of antibiotics.
Do not give single doses of antimalarials for fever
16
ANAEMIA
Anaemia is present if the haemoglobin is less than 10g/dL.
1. Usually treat as an outpatient.
Admit to hospital if the child:
- looks very sick
- or looks very pale
- or has oedema
- or feels dizzy when standing up
2. Whenever possible do:
- haemoglobin
- RDT for malaria.
TREATMENT
1. Antimalarials
Treatment antimalarial course (see p. 67)
Prophylaxis give antimalarials once a week for 3 months
(see p.74), if possible. See
Medicine for Mothers to Take Home (p.87).
2. Hookworm Treatment (inpatients and outpatients).
Use Albendazole - crushed up for children >6 months.
- older children can chew the tablet.
Weight
Dose
No Oedema
Oedema
5 - 9.9 kg
1 tab
Stat Dose
Daily for 3 days
10kg or more
2 tab
Stat Dose
Daily for 3 days
3. Folic Acid
1 tablet each week for 3 months (same day as malaria prophylaxis).
Supply parents with 12 tablets (see p. 87).
17
ANAEMIA (continued)
4. Iron
Wherever possible, iron should be given orally.
Give the iron in the form of Fefol tablets to older children.
Weight
5-9.9 Kg
10-19.9Kg
20-39.9Kg
40-49.9Kg
Fefol tab
¼
½
1
1 ½
Give the oral iron tablets every day for 4 weeks, then check the
Hb again.
Give ferrous fumarate suspension to infants (p. 144).
Note: Children with recurrent or persistent anaemia should be
referred to hospital for investigation. Some may have thalassaemia,
and children with this condition should not be given repeated doses
of iron.
5. Diet
Encourage the mother to give dark green leafy vegetables, meat, fish,
peanuts and beans and fruit rich in vitamin C (such as paw-paw,
mango, orange).
6. Blood Transfusion
(i) Transfuse any child with a haemoglobin less than 3g %.
(ii) Transfuse a child with a haemoglobin between 3.0 and 6.0g% if
they have any of the following:
- severe infection (severe pneumonia, severe acute malaria,
meningitis, osteomyelitis or TB)
- heart failure (big liver and pulse rate over 160 per
minute)
- kwashiorkor.
18
ANAEMIA (continued)
Blood Transfusion:
Weight
Volume
Packed Cells
Rate of
Transfusion
Drops/min***
Dose of Frusemide
(IV)
3 - 5.9 kg
100*
5
½ (0.5) ml
6 - 9.9 kg
150*
7
¾ (0.75) ml
10 - 14.9 kg
250*
15
1ml
15 - 19.9 kg
400**
20
1½ (1.5) ml
20 - 29.9 kg
500**
25
2ml
* Crossmatch 1 unit of packed cells
** Crossmatch 2 units of packed cells
*** 5 drops/min is 20 ml/hr. 7 drops/min is 28 ml/hr.
If using a 100ml paediatric burette: 1 drop/min=1ml/hour.
REMEMBER:
EVEN IF YOU GIVE A BLOOD TRANSFUSION, YOU MUST
STILL GIVE ANTIMALARIALS, ALBENDAZOLE, FOLIC ACID
AND IRON
19
ANAEMIA (continued)
Note on blood transfusion:
1. Give frusemide (Lasix) IM or IV at the beginning of the transfusion.
2. Only use blood that has been properly grouped and cross-matched.
3. Make certain the correct bag of blood is given to the patient.
4. When giving blood to children less than 10kg use a measuring burette
(Medical Stores Catalogue No. 5277).
5. Only remove a bag of blood from Blood Bank refrigerator when you
can start transfusing it immediately.
6. Never transfuse blood that has been out of the refrigerator for more than
6 hours.
7. All patients receiving blood transfusion should receive antimalarials
(see p. 72).
8. If the patient develops fever, skin rash, or becomes ill then:
- Stop the blood transfusion
- Give promethazine IM
- Call a medical officer
FOLLOW ALL THESE INSTRUCTIONS WHEN GIVING A
BLOOD TRANSFUSION.
THE PATIENT MAY DIE IF THE TRANSFUSION IS GIVEN
INCORRECTLY
20
ASTHMA
Wheezing in a child over 18 months of age is usually due to asthma.
Children younger than 18 months of age can have asthma, especially if the
child has had recurrent wheeze. If the child is wheezing and less than 12
months of age, treat for bronchiolitis (See p. 103).
TREATMENT OF MILD ASTHMA
a. Salbutamol (Ventolin)
Use a Metered Dose Inhaler (“puffer”) and a spacing device.
Children less than about 7 years of age cannot coordinate breathing
with a puffer so a "spacing device" is required. This can be bought
from a pharmacy or can be made from a 750ml cordial bottle or a
500ml IV fluid bottle with a hole in the bottom for the puffer.
Give 2 puffs of salbutamol (Ventolin) 4 times a day.
If you don’t have a “puffer” use Salbutamol tablets
TAB 4mg: Give 4 times a day
Weight
6-14.9kg
15-29.9kg
30kg or more
Dose
¼ tab
½ tab
1 tab
TREATMENT OF SEVERE ASTHMA
a. Oxygen ½ -2 L/minute by nasal prongs or by nasal catheter, or 4-6
litres / min by face mask in older children.
b. Nebulised Salbutamol Respirator Solution
Weight
Amount of
Solution
Amount of Normal Saline
Less than 9kg
¼ ml (0.25ml)
1¾ ml (1.75ml)
9kg or more
½ ml (0.5ml)
1½ ml (1.5ml)
Give this through the face-mask every three hours.
Foot operated nebulisers are available through your Provincial Health
Office and Area Medical Stores.
21
ASTHMA (continued)
A good alternative is to use an MDI with spacer (see Mild Asthma p.
20). Give 4-6 puffs every 2-3 hours in severe asthma. These doses of
nebulised or “puffer” salbutamol can be given every 2 hours or up to
every hour if the patient gets severely distressed before the next third
hourly dose is due.
If nebulised salbutamol (or a salbutamol puffer) is not available, give
salbutamol (Ventolin) tabs 4 times per day (same dose as for
Mild Asthma (see p. 20).
c. Prednisolone (5mg tabs). Give daily for 3-5 days
Weight (kg)
Dose (Tabs)
Weight (kg)
Dose (Tabs)
3 - 5.9
1 ½
20 - 29.9
7
6 - 9.9
2 ½
30 - 39.9
8
10 - 14.9
4
40 - 49.9
9
15 - 19.9
6
50 or more
10
d. If the child is too sick to take tablets give intravenous or intramuscular
Hydrocortisone every 6 hours.
Weight (kg)
Dose
Weight (kg)
Dose
5 - 9.9
25 mg
20 – 29.9
75 mg
10 -19.9
50 mg
30 or more
100 mg
e. I.V.fluid (Hartman’s solution or 0.45% NaCl +5% dextrose)
Give this if the child is too sick to drink
Weight
Mls/hr
Drops/minute
6 - 9.9 kg
25ml/hour
7 drops/minute
10 - 14.9 kg
50ml/hour
13 drops/minute
15kg or more
75ml/hour
20 drops/minute
Use a burette if you have one.
If the child is not improving after giving salbutamol and prednisolone (or
hydrocortisone), or if you do not have salbutamol, give:
22
ASTHMA (continued)
f. Aminophylline intravenously: 250mg/10ml Ampoule.
Do NOT use 0.5gm/2ml Ampoule
Every 6 hours put the dose of aminophylline into the burette and add
4.3% dextrose in 0.18% saline up to the hourly maintenance amount
(see e above). Run this over one hour, then continue the dextrose
saline at maintenance rate. If you do not have a burette, inject the
aminophylline intravenously slowly over at least 15 minutes every 6
hours.
The dose is 0.2ml/kg (5mg/kg):
Weight (kg)
6-9.9
10-14.9
15-19.9
20-29.9
30-49.9
Dose (ml)
1½ml
2ml
3ml
4ml
6ml
Remember: IV Aminophylline is dangerous
• Do not give IV aminophylline if the child has already had
aminophylline in the last 4 hours.
• weigh the child carefully and give the right dose slowly.
• stop giving aminophylline if the child gets a headache or
starts vomiting.
g. Benzylpenicillin, (Crystalline)
If the temperature is more than 38°C give IV every 6 hours
while giving IV fluids. (see p.147)
When the child improves:
Stop the IV fluids and change to:
- Salbutamol by inhaler with spacer (2 puffs every 4-6 hours) or oral
salbutamol (see p. 148).
- Continue this until the chest is free of wheeze. If you were giving
benzyl penicillin, change to amoxycillin oral TDS for 5 days (see
p.140).
If the child is very sick or does not start to improve after 12 hours of
treatment, send him to hospital.
Children who have asthma attacks frequently (e.g. once a month for
more than 6 months) should be referred to a paediatrician to assess the
need for preventative treatment.
23
BABIES – BORN BEFORE ARRIVAL (BBA)
TREATMENT
a. Vitamin K (Phytomenadione)
1 ampoule (1mg/0.5ml or 1mg/ml) IM once
Do NOT use 10mg/ml Ampoule
b. 1% Acriflavine in spirit or Gentian Violet to cord daily.
c. Oxytetracycline eye ointment to both eyes once.
d. Give Hep B vaccine if temp is less than 38
0
C
e. Tetanus immunoglobulin 60 units IM once.
Use 0.5ml of the 250 unit ampoule. It is not necessary to give tetanus
immunoglobulin if the mother has had two injections of tetanus toxoid,
at least one of them during the pregnancy.
f. Antibiotics if there are any signs of infection:
- Fever (axillary temp above 37.2°C)
- Hypothermia (temp below 35.5°C) OR very cold skin of arms
and legs
- Not able to suck
- Severe abdominal distension
- Fitting
- Skin pustules
- Infected cord
- Respiratory rate >60
- Apnoea (stopping breathing for more than 10 seconds)
- Severe chest indrawing
- Cyanosis of tongue
- Membranes ruptured more than 12 hours
- Maternal fever
- Offensive liquor
Give ampicillin (or crystapen or amoxycillin) plus gentamicin. See
Babies – Neonatal infections ( p. 26)
g. Oxygen by nasal catheter to babies with respiratory rate >60,
severe chest indrawing, apnoea, cyanosis, hypothermia or very cold
skin of arms and legs.
h. Give Vitamin A (200,000 units) stat to the mother
24
BABIES LESS THAN 2.2KG WEIGHT
These babies need special care.
a. Keep the baby warm - Small babies get cold easily, particularly in
the highlands. Try to keep the baby well wrapped up in a warm
room, lying cuddled up to the mother. If the baby is too sick to be
with the mother, it may be necessary to keep the baby warm with
well-covered hot water bottles, but be very careful not to burn the
baby.
b. Start breast-feeds within half to 1 hour of birth. As much as
possible use only breast milk (see p. 32). Use expressed breast
milk by cup if the baby cannot suck well. Use a nasogastric tube
for babies less than 1.5kg and for those who are sick. Babies
should be suckled on the breast before cup or tube feeds are given.
Sugar milk may be given to infants in special cases, eg. HIV
positive mothers who wish to give replacement feeds.
When the baby is sucking well from the breast and is gaining
weight above 1.8Kg, gradually reduce the cup feeds.
Amount of milk to give every 3 hours*
Birth
Weight
Day of Life
(KG)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 or more
1.0 – 1.49
8
10
15
20
25
30
30
35
1.5 – 1.99
10
15
20
25
30
40
45
50
2.0 – 2.49
15
20
30
35
40
50
55
65
2.5 – 2.99
20
25
35
40
50
60
70
75
3.0 – 3.49
20
30
40
50
60
70
70
75
3.5 – 3.99
25
35
45
60
70
80
80
80
* Note: Babies less than 1.5kg on nasogastric feeding should be fed
smaller amounts every hour or two hours to give the same total daily
amount.
25
BABIES LESS THAN 2.2KG WEIGHT (continued)
When you are tube feeding:
• change the nasogastric tube twice a week
• do not bottle feed
• weigh the baby every day. Satisfactory weight gain is 20g per day or
100-150g per week.
c. Give every small baby 1ml multiple vitamin liquid each day.
d. Give zinc while the baby is in hospital/health centre (p. 30)
NOTES: (Space to write your own notes)
26
BABIES – NEONATAL INFECTIONS
A neonate is a baby less than 4 weeks old. Infection in neonates may not
be as obvious as infection in older children. Think of infection in any
neonate with any of these signs:
- fever (axillary temp above 37.3°C)
- hypothermia (temp below 35.5°C) OR very cold skin of arms
and legs
- not able to suck
- severe abdominal distension
- vomiting out all feeds
- fitting
- skin pustules
- jaundice
- infected cord
- respiratory rate >60
- apnoea (stopping breathing for more than 10 seconds)
- severe chest indrawing
- cyanosis of tongue or gums
- membranes ruptured more than 12 hours
- maternal fever
- offensive liquor
TREATMENT
a. All babies with suspected infection should receive:
(i) Ampicillin OR penicillin (crystapen) IV or IM, plus
(ii) Gentamicin IVI or IM, plus
(iii) Test for Malaria and treat if positive (see Babies Drug Doses in
tables on page 28 and Malaria section page 67)
Notes:
• If there is no gentamicin, give chloramphenicol.
• There are special dilutions for gentamicin and special doses for
chloramphenicol for babies (see Babies Drug doses in the tables
on pages 28-31)
• Severe neonatal infection should be treated with antibiotics for at
least 10 days.
27
BABIES – NEONATAL INFECTIONS (continued)
• PR, IMI or IV artesuante should only be given to babies who
are too sick to take oral amodiaquine. These babies should
have nasogastric feeding or an IV drip.
b. Do a lumbar puncture if you are able to. If the CSF is
cloudy, give ceftriaxone. If you think the baby has meningitis
but you are unable to get CSF or CSF is blood stained, give
ceftriaxone and refer the baby
Refer to hospital any baby who:
• is not improving after 2 days of treatment
• has meningitis
• is severely jaundiced (deep yellow or orange colour)
PREVENTION
Many neonatal infections can be prevented by:
• Ensuring good basic hygiene and cleanliness at the delivery of
the baby.
• Special attention to cord care: (Gentian violet or 1% acriflavine
in spirit application daily after clamping and cutting the cord).
• Breast feeding.
• Giving antibiotics to babies whose mothers have fever during
labour, or babies born after prolonged rupture of membranes
(more than 12 hours). If these babies show no signs of sepsis
after 3 days the antibiotics can be stopped
• Staff washing their hands between contact with patients
28
BABIES – DRUG DOSES: FOR BABIES LESS THAN 4 WEEKS OF AGE
WEIGHT OF BABY (KILOGRAMS)
1.0-1.49
1.5-1.99
2.0-2.49
2.5-2.99
3.0-3.49
3.5-3.99
Amodiaquine (infant camoquin)
Daily for 3 days
Oral
100mg
tabs
—
—
¼
¼
¼
½
Amoxycillin or ampicillin injection
250mg vials
Add 1ml sterile water. IM or IV
(30mg / kg / dose)
- less than 7 days old – give twice a day
- more than 7 days old - give 4 times a day
IM
¼
¼
¼
½
½
½
Ceftriaxone sodium injection 1 gram
Add 10ml of sterile water – IM or IV
(50mg/kg/dose, use for severe infections only)
- less than 7 days old – give daily
- more than 7 days old – give twice a day
IM/IV
ml
ml
0.5
0.8
0.8
1.0
1.0
1.2
1.2
1.5
1.5
1.8
1.8
2.0
Chloramphenicol injection 1gram
Add 4ml sterile water (25mg / kg / dose)
IM
¼
¼
¼
½
½
½
- Less than 7 days old
- More than 7 days old
Every 2nd day
Once daily dose
Once daily dose
Twice daily dose
Flucloxacillin injection 250mg
Add 1½ ml sterile water. IM or IV
(25mg / kg / dose)
- less than 7 days old - give twice a day
- more than 7 days old - give 4 times a day
IM
¼
¼
¼
½
½
½
Diazepam. Amp 10mg / 2ml. Mix with 2 ml sterile
water.
Give slowly IV or rectally (p. 36) (0.25mg / kg /
dose)
IM
To stop
convulsions use
paraldehyde
¼
¼
½
½
29
WEIGHT OF BABY (KILOGRAMS)
1.0-1.49
1.5-1.99
2.0-2.49
2.5-2.99
3.0-3.49
3.5-3.99
Digoxin (lanoxin) elixir
50 microgm/ml oral
Every 6 hours for 3 doses, then once daily
(maintenance dose 10 microgram/kg daily)
Oral
¼
¼
½
¾
1
1
Gentamicin Amp 20mg / 2ml. IM once daily
(NOT 80mg / 2ml)
IM /
IV
<1week: 3mg / kg / dose
½
¾
1
>1 week: 7.5mg / kg / dose
¾
1
1½
<1 week: 5mg / kg / dose
1½
1 ¾
2
> 1 week: 7.5mg / kg / dose
1¾
2
2½
Naloxone (Narcan) Amp 0.4mg / ml.
Inject under the tongue, IM or IV (0.1mg/kg)
IM /
IV
¼
¼
½
½
¾
1
*Nevirapine 2mg/kg stat dose
Infant suspension or need to break 200mg tabs.
Single dose to baby after delivery.
The mother must also have a single dose of 200mg
while in labour.
*AZT (Zidovidine) 4mg/kg/bd
Give twice daily for 28 days
Oral
Oral
3mg
5mg
4mg
8mg
5mg
10mg
6mg
12mg
7mg
14mg
8mg
16mg
Paraldehyde amp 5ml IM (0.2ml/kg)
Use only glass syringe
IM
¼
¼
½
½
½
¾
• For HIV prophylaxis
30
WEIGHT OF BABY (KILOGRAMS)
1.0-1.49
1.5-1.99
2.0-2.49
2.5-2.99
3.0-3.49
3.5-3.99
Penicillin
Benzyl (crystalline)
– Vial 1,000,000 Units
(add 2ml sterile water) IM or IV
3 times daily (50,000 units / kg / dose)
Benzathine Vial 2,400,000 Units
(add 5ml sterile water) IM Once only
IM /
IV
IM /
IV
¼
½
¼
½
¼
½
½
1
½
1
½
1
Phenobarbitone Amp 200mg/ml
Diluted (add 4ml sterile water) IM
Loading Dose (first dose only)
Tablets (30mg) Daily dose
IM
Oral
½
¼
¾
¼
1
½
1¼
½
1½
½
1¾
¾
Zinc (for low birth weight babies while in hospital).
Give a daily dose.
Oral
5mg
10mg
IV fluids Number of ml/hour of 4.3% dextrose +
0.18% NaCl. Use a paediatric 100ml burette if
possible. Small babies need more than 4.3%
dextrose. To make up 10% dextrose add 10ml 50%
dextrose to 90ml of 4.3% dextrose in a burette.
Most babies on IV fluids can still have some breast
milk, even if only 2-3 ml per hour.
IV
2
4
6
7
8
10
31
Note: All newborn babies should be given:
• Vitamin K, phytomenadione (Konakion) 1mg IM
• Oxytetracycline eye ointment to both eyes
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• BCG vaccine at or soon after birth.
• For treatment of meningitis suggest strictly use 50mg/Kg of ceftriaxone per dose for all
weight groups
28
BABIES – DRUG DOSES: FOR BABIES LESS THAN 4 WEEKS OF AGE
WEIGHT OF BABY (KILOGRAMS)
1.0-1.49
1.5-1.99
2.0-2.49
2.5-2.99
3.0-3.49
3.5-3.99
Amodiaquine (infant camoquin)
Daily for 3 days
Oral
100mg
tabs
—
—
¼
¼
¼
½
Amoxycillin or ampicillin injection
250mg vials
Add 1ml sterile water. IM or IV
(30mg / kg / dose)
- less than 7 days old – give twice a day
- more than 7 days old - give 4 times a day
IM
¼
¼
¼
½
½
½
Ceftriaxone sodium injection 1 gram
Add 10ml of sterile water – IM or IV
(50mg/kg/dose, use for severe infections only)
- less than 7 days old – give daily
- more than 7 days old – give twice a day
IM/IV
ml
ml
0.5
0.8
0.8
1.0
1.0
1.2
1.2
1.5
1.5
1.8
1.8
2.0
Chloramphenicol injection 1gram
Add 4ml sterile water (25mg / kg / dose)
IM
¼
¼
¼
½
½
½
- Less than 7 days old
- More than 7 days old
Every 2nd day
Once daily dose
Once daily dose
Twice daily dose
Flucloxacillin injection 250mg
Add 1½ ml sterile water. IM or IV
(25mg / kg / dose)
- less than 7 days old - give twice a day
- more than 7 days old - give 4 times a day
IM
¼
¼
¼
½
½
½
Diazepam. Amp 10mg / 2ml. Mix with 2 ml sterile
water.
Give slowly IV or rectally (p. 36) (0.25mg / kg /
dose)
IM
To stop
convulsions use
paraldehyde
¼
¼
½
½
29
WEIGHT OF BABY (KILOGRAMS)
1.0-1.49
1.5-1.99
2.0-2.49
2.5-2.99
3.0-3.49
3.5-3.99
Digoxin (lanoxin) elixir
50 microgm/ml oral
Every 6 hours for 3 doses, then once daily
(maintenance dose 10 microgram/kg daily)
Oral
¼
¼
½
¾
1
1
Gentamicin Amp 20mg / 2ml. IM once daily
(NOT 80mg / 2ml)
IM /
IV
<1week: 3mg / kg / dose
½
¾
1
>1 week: 7.5mg / kg / dose
¾
1
1½
<1 week: 5mg / kg / dose
1½
1 ¾
2
> 1 week: 7.5mg / kg / dose
1¾
2
2½
Naloxone (Narcan) Amp 0.4mg / ml.
Inject under the tongue, IM or IV (0.1mg/kg)
IM /
IV
¼
¼
½
½
¾
1
*Nevirapine 2mg/kg stat dose
Infant suspension or need to break 200mg tabs.
Single dose to baby after delivery.
The mother must also have a single dose of 200mg
while in labour.
*AZT (Zidovidine) 4mg/kg/bd
Give twice daily for 28 days
Oral
Oral
3mg
5mg
4mg
8mg
5mg
10mg
6mg
12mg
7mg
14mg
8mg
16mg
Paraldehyde amp 5ml IM (0.2ml/kg)
Use only glass syringe
IM
¼
¼
½
½
½
¾
• For HIV prophylaxis
30
WEIGHT OF BABY (KILOGRAMS)
1.0-1.49
1.5-1.99
2.0-2.49
2.5-2.99
3.0-3.49
3.5-3.99
Penicillin
Benzyl (crystalline)
– Vial 1,000,000 Units
(add 2ml sterile water) IM or IV
3 times daily (50,000 units / kg / dose)
Benzathine Vial 2,400,000 Units
(add 5ml sterile water) IM Once only
IM /
IV
IM /
IV
¼
½
¼
½
¼
½
½
1
½
1
½
1
Phenobarbitone Amp 200mg/ml
Diluted (add 4ml sterile water) IM
Loading Dose (first dose only)
Tablets (30mg) Daily dose
IM
Oral
½
¼
¾
¼
1
½
1¼
½
1½
½
1¾
¾
Zinc (for low birth weight babies while in hospital).
Give a daily dose.
Oral
5mg
10mg
IV fluids Number of ml/hour of 4.3% dextrose +
0.18% NaCl. Use a paediatric 100ml burette if
possible. Small babies need more than 4.3%
dextrose. To make up 10% dextrose add 10ml 50%
dextrose to 90ml of 4.3% dextrose in a burette.
Most babies on IV fluids can still have some breast
milk, even if only 2-3 ml per hour.
IV
2
4
6
7
8
10
31
Note: All newborn babies should be given:
• Vitamin K, phytomenadione (Konakion) 1mg IM
• Oxytetracycline eye ointment to both eyes
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• BCG vaccine at or soon after birth.
• For treatment of meningitis suggest strictly use 50mg/Kg of ceftriaxone per dose for all
weight groups
32
BREAST FEEDING
Breast feeding is best.
It is safe, simple, readily available and cheap.
It contains all the nutrients that the baby needs to grow.
It reduces the risk of diarrhea, pneumonia, malnutrition and other
diseases.
GENERAL
• Breast feeding should begin as soon as possible after delivery.
• The easiest and best schedule is ‘on-demand’ breast feeding.
• Infants who cannot demand feed (such as low birth weight or sick
babies) should be fed every 2-3 hours.
• Infants who cannot suck on the breast (e.g. very premature babies)
should be given expressed breast milk (EBM) by cup or by
nasogastric tube (refer to section on babies weighing less than 2.2
kg, p. 24)
• All babies should be exclusively breast fed for the first 6 months.
Exclusively means that no other foods or drinks, not even water,
should be given.
• Breast feeding should continue for as long as is possible or
acceptable to the mother.
• Breast feeding policies should be supported and upheld whenever
and wherever possible.
• The first yellow milk a mother makes (colostrum) should be given
to the baby. It should not be thrown away. It contains important anti-
infective substances that are part of the baby's defense against
infection.
Bottles with teats and baby cups with spouts should never be used in a
health care facility, and their use should not be encouraged anywhere
else. They are very difficult to sterilize and often result in serious
infections such as diarrhea, and malnutrition.
33
BREAST FEEDING (continued)
FAILURE TO BREAST FEED
1. Check the baby for underlying causes
For example
• premature or low birth weight
• birth trauma
• infections
• congenital abnormalities eg cleft lip / palate
Treat the underlying cause if possible
2. Check the mother for any problems
For example
• Maternal illness
• Breast problems; cracked, flat, inverted nipples
• Primiparous mother
• Adopting mother, never previously lactated
Treat the underlying cause if possible or refer to a midwife, child
health nurse, paediatrician or obstetrician
PROBLEMS WITH "INADEQUATE" MILK SUPPLY
1. Check to see whether baby is sucking frequently and adequately
2. Check to see if the breast milk supply of the mother really is
inadequate. If it is: Give the mother:
Metoclopramide (Maxalon) 10mg oral TDS
(this is the first choice if it is available)
OR
Chlorpromazine (Largactil) 25mg oral TDS
Continue until an adequate milk supply is established (usually
within one week). Mothers given chlorpromazine should be
warned that it may make them sleepy.
3. Once the mother begins taking Maxalon or Largactil, it is essential
that she is encouraged to suckle the baby as often as possible even if
there is no breast milk to start with.
REMEMBER, BREAST MILK IS BEST FOR BABIES. IT
REDUCES THE RISK OF INFECTION AND MALNUTRITION
See page 59 for breast feeding by HIV positive mother
34
BURNS AND SCALDS
FIRST AID. As a first aid treatment, immediately immersing the burnt
area in water will reduce the severity of the burn.
a. Give pethidine IM every 6 hours for severe pain (see p.147).
b. Give tetanus toxoid ½ml IM.
c. Give extra fluids
If the burn is more than 10% (one tenth) of the body area, give
intravenous fluids. Start with 0.9% sodium chloride (normal
saline) in the Health Centre.
Weight (kg)
Quickly
Later Fluid (drip rate*)
3 - 5.9
100 ml
25 ml/hour
(7 drops/min)
6 - 9.9
150 ml
50 ml/hour
(13 drops/min)
10 - 14.9
250 ml
75 ml/hour
(20 drops/min)
15 -19.9
350 ml
100 ml/hour
(25 drops/min)
20 - 29.9
500 ml
100 ml/hour
(25 drops/min)
30 – 50
700 ml
150 ml/hour
(40 drops/min)
* This is the drip rate when using an adult giving set.
When using a paediatric burette 1 drop/min = 1ml/hour
d. Refer urgently to hospital any child who has burns to more than
10% of their body area.
e. Clean and dress the burn
If there is no pus or inflammation:
• Do not give antibiotics
• Clean with antiseptic solution, e.g. chlorhexidine (Savlon)
or sterile Normal Saline, then either
• Apply an antiseptic dressing to the burnt area and
change the dressing every 3 days
OR
• Apply silver sulphadiazine cream to the burnt area each
day.
35
BURNS AND SCALDS (continued)
If there is dirt or pus in the burn:
• Clean away dirt and dead tissue with antiseptic solution
e.g. chlorhexidine (Savlon) or sterile Normal Saline.
• Apply an antiseptic dressing to the burnt area, and change
it once or twice a day.
• Give benzyl penicillin (Crystapen) IM or IV 4 times a
day until the inflammation goes away (p.147), then
Amoxycillin orally TDS for 5 days (see p.140).
• When the burnt area is clean, change the dressing every 3
days
OR
• Apply silver sulphadiazine cream daily.
Estimating Burn Area in Young Children
% Area of body
Part of body affected
Front
Back
Arm (each)
3.5%
3.5%
Leg (each)
7%
7%
Chest
7%
7%
Abdomen
7%
7%
Head
14%
14%
REFER URGENTLY TO HOSPITAL
CHILDREN WHO HAVE BURNS TO MORE
THAN 10% OF THE BODY AREA
36
CHILD ABUSE
Classification
• Non-accidental injury: any soft tissue or bony injury that is not the
result of an accident
• Sexual abuse: any use of a child by an adult for sexual stimulation
• Emotional abuse: undermining a child’s self esteem
• Neglect: failing to provide adequate care and a safe environment for
a child
Diagnosis of child abuse
• Be aware that child abuse is more common than we like to think and
that it presents in many different ways
• Be alert to any inconsistencies in the history relating to an injury
• Make a careful examination of the whole child, not just of the
presenting injury
• Be aware of very suggestive injuries: lower limb fractures in a child
who is too young to walk, peri-orbital haematoma, unusual burn
marks, multiple bruises on the back or buttocks.
What to do if you suspect a child is being maltreated or neglected
in any way
• Refer all cases of suspected abuse to the hospital for further
assessment.
• Under the Lukautim Pikinini Act health workers now have a duty to
report all cases of suspected or proven abuse to their Provincial
Welfare Departments.
• If you think a child is in danger of further abuse or injury you should
admit the child, inform the Welfare Officer as soon as possible and
ask for a protective order.
• Treat any physical injuries or sexually transmitted infections
REMEMBER: THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF
THE CHILD IS OF PRIME IMPORTANCE.
CHILD ABUSE IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS. NO-ONE,
INCLUDING THE PARENTS, HAS THE RIGHT TO HURT A
CHILD IN ANY WAY.
37
CHILD ABUSE continued SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN
Sexual abuse of children is defined as the use of children by adults for
sexual pleasure. It covers a range of conditions, with rape being at the
severe end of the range.
Sometimes, for example following a rape, the diagnosis is obvious, but
many times, particularly when the abuse is chronic the diagnosis may
not be obvious.
Think of sexual abuse when you see children presenting with changes
in behavior or unexplained symptoms of headache or abdominal pain.
Always examine the child carefully, and make sure that you have
another staff member with you during the examination.
Look for:
• Signs of sexually transmitted diseases
• Damage to the genitalia or anus
• Abnormal slackness of the anal sphincter.
In all cases of confirmed sexual abuse:
• Explain to the care giver and the child what you are doing and
why.
• Take blood samples for HIV testing and VDRL testing
• Take appropriate swabs for examination and culture if facilities
are available
• Treat for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (page 114)
• Consider providing a course of prophylactic Antiretroviral
treatment
• Make good records both in the Child’s Health Record Book and
in a separate health facility record
• Report the case to the Police and other relevant authority such as
the Child Welfare Department. (Sexual abuse is a mandatorily
reportable condition)
• Make every effort to follow up on the child’s condition
38
CHILD ABUSE continued RAPE
Children who have suffered rape should almost always be admitted.
They need a very careful examination which might only be possible
under an anaesthetic, and they may need surgical treatment in addition
to vaginal and/or anal swabs being taken. Their clothing should not be
washed, but should be kept in a plastic bag for possible forensic use.
Child Abuse- of any kind and particularly child sexual abuse is an
unpleasant matter to deal with. The natural response is to be shocked
but not to get involved in trying to deal properly with the situation.
Remember that if the Health Worker doesn’t do the right thing, the
child – and perhaps other children - will probably be abused again. It is
possible to take appropriated action (eg in reporting the matter) as a
group rather than as an individual if there are possibilities of
confrontation.
AS FOR ALL CASES OF SEXUAL ABUSE BASELINE BLOOD
SPECIMENS FOR HIV AND VDRL TESTING SHOULD BE
TAKEN, THE CHILD SHOULD RECEIVE TREATMENT FOR
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES WITH
AMOXYCILLIN, AUGMENTIN, PROBENECID AND
AZITHROMYCIN, AND ANTIRETROVIRAL PROPHYLAXIS
SHOULD BE GIVEN.
39
COLDS AND URTI
(Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, Simple Cough)
1. Examine the child carefully.
2. Treat as an outpatient.
3. Explain to the parents that they should come back if the child
becomes short of breath.
4. Explain to the parents that the cough gets rid of rubbish from the
chest and throat.
TREATMENT
1. If no fever is present, reassure the parents and take time to explain
why the child is coughing.
2. If fever is present
Test for malaria and if positive treat accordingly p. 67
If otitis media is present treat as on p. 97.
If pus is present on the tonsils treat as on p. 66.
3. Immunisation
Immunisation should be given if the child is due for it.
Measles vaccine should always be given even if there is a high
temperature. If the temperature is above 38°C, the pentavalent
(triple antigen, Hib and hepatitis B) vaccines should be delayed
until the temperature falls.
Note: Antibiotics must not be used for the treatment of colds. "Strong
cough", "big cough" or "productive cough" are not indications for
antibiotics unless fast breathing or another condition is also
present.
TEACH PARENTS THE WARNING SIGNS OF PNEUMONIA:
FAST BREATHING AND CHEST INDRAWING
Use a Flip Chart if you have one
40
CONJUNCTIVITIS
1. Mild conjunctivitis
(a) Treat as outpatient. Show the mother how to wash the eyes
with breast milk or water and how to apply eye ointment to the
eyes, tell the mother to wash the eyes and apply eye ointment 4
times a day for 5 days.
(b) Give the mother a tube of:
! Oxytetracycline eye ointment, OR
! Compound antibiotic eye ointment, OR
! Chloramphenicol eye ointment.
2. Severe conjunctivitis (a lot of pus or redness and swelling of the
eyelids)
(a) Admit to hospital or health centre
(b) Wash the eyes, and put in:
! Oxytetracycline eye ointment, or
! Compound antibiotic eye ointment, or
! Chloramphenicol eye ointment.
4 times a day for 5 days.
3. Severe conjunctivitis in babies (a lot of pus or redness and swelling
of the eyelids): during the first 2 weeks of life may be due to an STI
(p. 114).
(a) Wash the eyes with breast milk or water to clear as much pus
as possible.
(b) Oxytetracycline eye ointment 4 times a day for 5 days.
(c) Benzylpenicillin (crystalline) plus gentamicin
Benzylpenicillin: add 2ml sterile water to 1,000,000u vial.
• 2.4 kg or less: ¼ ml • 2.5 kg or more: ½ ml
Give Benzylpenicillin IM 3 times a day for 5 days (p. 30)
Gentamicin daily dose: see Babies: Drug Doses (p.28)
(d) Treat the mother and father and contacts for STIs.
REFER ANY PATIENT TO HOSPITAL IF CONJUNCTIVITIS
DOES NOT IMPROVE AFTER 2 DAYS TREATMENT.
41
CONVULSIONS
Flow diagram for febrile fits in infants and young children
a. Make sure the airway is clear and the child is able to breath:
• Place the child on his side
• Suck out secretions
• Give oxygen during the fit
• Check the blood sugar if you can
• If the blood sugar is low, or if the child is malnourished give
1ml/kg 50% dextrose or 5ml/kg 10% dextrose IV (or by NG tube
when the fit has been stopped).
42
CONVULSIONS (continued)
b. Stop the convulsion:
i) Use IM paraldehyde, IV diazepam, or rectal diazepam (10mg/2ml)
Weight (kg)
Paraldehyde Dose
(ml IM)
Diazepam Dose
IV (ml)
Rectal* (ml)
3 – 5.9
1
¼
¼
6 – 9.9
1½
½
½
10 – 4.9
2½
½
1
15 – 19.9
3
¾
1½
20 – 29.9
4
1
2
30 kg or more:
5
2
2
* For rectal diazepam use either:
• A Mantoux syringe (without the needle) inserted into the rectum,
or
• A 5ml syringe. Mix the required dose of diazepam with 5mls of
water in the syringe and put it into the rectum through a feeding
tube.
* If giving IV diazepam, give a single dose only.
ii) If the child is still convulsing after 10 minutes:
Give the drug which you have not used if it is available (paraldehyde
or diazepam), or repeat the first dose if the other is not available
iii) If the convulsions continue after another 10 minutes:-
Give a loading (starting) dose of phenobarbitone as shown in the
table. It is best to give this dose IM if possible.
Loading (Starting) Dose of Phenobarbitone 200mg/ml Ampoule
or 30mg Tab
3 - 5.9 kg
¼ ml IM or 2 tabs
15 — 19.9 kg
1ml IM or 6 tabs
6 - 9.9 kg
½ ml IM or 3 tabs
20 — 29.9 kg
1ml IM or 7 tabs
10 - 14.9 kg
¾ ml IM or 5 tabs
30 kg or more
1ml IM or 7 tabs
c. Reduce temperature if febrile (see Fever p. 57).
d. Treat initially for severe malaria, stop if test negative (see p. 67)
43
CONVULSIONS (continued)
e. If the child has fever and stiff neck or reduced consciousness, do a
lumbar puncture if you can
• If CSF is clear - treat for cerebral malaria (see p. 68).
Repeat lumbar puncture if no improvement in 24 hours.
• If CSF cloudy, blood stained or you cannot get CSF
- treat for cerebral malaria (see p. 68) and meningitis (see p. 88).
For children with a single febrile convulsion who has normal
conscious state and no neck stiffness, there is no need for a LP.
Observe closely for 4 hours.
f. For children with epilepsy:
• Epilepsy is frequent convulsions without fever
• Give phenobarbitone if the child is less than 5 years and
phenytoin if more than 5 years. The daily maintenance doses are
shown in the table.
• Continue these until there have been no convulsions for at least
18 months.
• When stopping these drugs, slowly reduce the dose over a period
of at least 2 months.
Daily Maintenance Doses of Anticonvulsants
Weight (kg)
Phenobarbitone
30mg Tab.
Phenytoin
30 mg capsules or tablets
(NOT 100mg cap / tab)
3 - 5.9
½ tab
1 capsule
6 - 9.9
1 tab
2 capsules
10 - 14.9
2 tabs
2 capsules
15 - 19.9
3 tabs
3 capsules
20 - 29.9
4 tabs
4 capsules
30 kg or more
5 tabs
5 capsules
44
DIARRHOEA
DIARRHOEA DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
NOTES:
! Always continue breast feeding and give food to older children.
! Bloody diarrhoea, persistent diarrhoea or cholera see p, 54, 52 or 55 respectively.
! Examine all children carefully for other illnesses
45
DIARRHOEA –SEVERE
(WITH SIGNS OF SEVERE DEHYDRATION)
Use the table on page 44 to decide if the child has signs of severe dehydration.
TREATMENT
Fluids
Give IV Half Strength Darrow’s (HSD):
Step 1: Give fast IV fluid:
Weight (kg)
3-5.9
6-9.9
10-14.9
15-19.9
20-29.9
30-49.9
No. of mls
100ml
150ml
250ml
350ml
500ml
700ml
Step 2: Review the child immediately after Step 1 and repeat the fast IV
fluid if signs of severe dehydration are still present.
Step 3: When improved, give slower IV fluid:
Weight (kg)
3-5.9
6-9.9
10-14.9
15-29.9
30-49.9
Mls / hr
25ml
50ml
75ml
100ml
150ml
Drops / min
7 drops
13 drops
20 drops
25 drops
40 drops
Do NOT use a measuring burette:
• Mark on the IV flask the level for each hour
• Then every hour check that the fluid has fallen to the level
of the mark
Encourage the child to drink (unless the abdomen is markedly
distended)
Step 4: Review the patient every hour and repeat fast IV fluid each
time if still dehydrated
Step 5: Stop IV fluids and give Oral Rehydration Solution, 1 cup every
3 hours when the child is:
• Drinking well
• Not vomiting
• No longer dehydrated
46
DIARRHOEA –SEVERE (continued)
(WITH SIGNS OF SEVERE DEHYDRATION)
Note: If you cannot get a drip in to give intravenous fluids, give Oral
Rehydration Solution (ORS) or Half Strength Darrows (HSD) by
nasogastric drip. Make sure the tube is in the stomach and splint
the child's elbows.
Weight (kg)
3-5.9
6-9.9
10-14.9
15-19.9
20-29.9
30-49.9
Mls / hr
100ml
150ml
250ml
350ml
500ml
700ml
If hydration is not improved after 3 hours reattempt IV therapy.
OTHER TREATMENT:
a. Food
Continue breast feeding and start solid food as soon as the child can eat.
b. Antimalarials
If the child is febrile test for malaria and treat if positive (see p. 67).
If child is afebrile, do RDT and treat accordingly.
c. Zinc tablet 20mg
Give zinc tablets daily for 10 days
Weight (kg)
5-9.9kg
10kg or more
No of Tab
1/2 tab
1 tab
d. Antibiotics are not required for most severe diarrhoea
Give antibiotics only if the child:
• looks very sick (fever, shock and weakness may be due to
septicaemia) OR
• has fever and blood or pus in the stool OR
has fever and severe abdominal distension
47
DIARRHOEA ! SEVERE (continued)
(WITH SIGNS OF SEVERE DEHYDRATION)
Add 4ml sterile water to 1 gram vial of chloramphenicol.
Weight (kg)
No. of mls
Weight (kg)
No. of mls
3 - 4.9kg
½ml
15 - 19.9kg
2ml
5 - 6.9kg
¾ml
20 - 29.9kg
2½ml
7 - 9.9kg
1ml
30 - 49.9kg
3ml
10 -14.9kg
1½ml
Adult
4ml
Change to oral chloramphenicol when the child has no fever and looks well.
Give every 6 hours for 5 days (see p. 142).
e. Tinidazole (see p. 148 for dosage)
Give orally as a stat dose if the child has:
• Severe malnutrition (kwashiorkor or marasmus)
• Persistent diarrhoea (more than one week)
Give tinidazole daily for 3 days if:
• Blood is present in the stool, (see dysentery) p.54)
f. Albendazole (must be crushed or chewed)
• No oedema - once
• Oedema present – daily for 3 days
Weight (kg)
5-9.9kg
10kg or more
No of Tab
1 tab
2 tab
ALWAYS CHECK THE CHILD WITH DIARRHOEA CAREFULLY
FOR SIGNS OF OTHER ILLNESSES. PNEUMONIA, MENINGITIS
MALNUTRITION OR ANOTHER CONDITION MAY ALSO BE
PRESENT.
48
DIARRHOEA ! MODERATE
(WITH SOME DEHYDRATION)
Diarrhoea is serious if there are signs of dehydration. Use the table on p. 44 to
decide whether there is some dehydration or severe dehydration present in
the child.
If the child has signs of some dehydration:
• Keep the child under observation until the signs are no longer present.
This may mean admitting the child.
• Examine for other illness (e.g., otitis media, pneumonia) and treat if
present.
• Weigh the child and record the weight
• Encourage the mother to breast feed and give food to the child.
TREATMENT
1. Fluids
a) Give ORS -
Give the mother a large cupful of ORS for the child every hour. Give
more than this if the child will drink it. Show the mother how to give
the ORS with a teaspoon in infants.
Important rules when using Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)
• Reassess the child every 3-4 hours (use table on p.43)
o If the child is no longer dehydrated change to treatment for mild
diarrhoea
o If signs of moderate diarrhea with some dehydration are still
present continue ORS and continue to give some food.
o If signs of severe dehydration have appeared, change to IV half-
strength Darrow’s solution (p. 45)
• Encourage the mother to continue breast feeding.
• If the child vomits: wait 10 minutes and give the ORS more slowly
• if the child vomits repeatedly: give IV HSD as for severe diarrhoea
• If the child's eyelids become puffy: stop ORS and review child after 3
hours.
49
DIARRHOEA !MODERATE (continued)
(WITH SOME DEHYDRATION)
How to make oral rehydration solution:
- Mix the ORS powder according to the instructions until the powder
dissolves.
- Throw away any solution that is left over after 24 hours.
- Wash the utensil very well before using it again.
OTHER TREATMENT:
a. Food
Continue breast feeding and start solid food as soon as the child can eat.
b. Antimalarials
If the child has a fever, do RDT and treat accordingly.
c. Zinc tablet 20mg
Give zinc tablets daily for 10 days
Weight (kg)
5-9.9kg
10kg or more
No of Tab
1/2 tab
1 tab
50
DIARRHOEA ! MILD
(NO SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION)
If a child has diarrhoea (and/or vomiting) always look for signs of
dehydration:
• irritability or lethargy
• dry mouth and tongue
• sunken eyes
• absent tears
• thirsty, drinking eagerly
• skin pinch goes back slowly
• fast pulse or cold limbs
• not able to drink, drinking
poorly
If the child has no signs of dehydration:
a. Weigh the child carefully.
b. Examine for other illnesses (e.g., meningitis, otitis media) and treat if
present. If child has fever, do a rapid-diagnostic-test (RDT) and treat for
malaria accordingly.
c. Mix ORS in front of the mother and explain how to do this. Give a cup
of ORS for the child to drink:
Send home after step 3 if he drinks one cup of ORS
d. Teach the mother or father to:
i. Give the child more fluids more often to prevent dehydration:
• Any locally available home fluid should be used:
- Thin soups from boiled vegetables are good e.g. rice-water,
sweet potato-water, banana-water
- Boiled water that has cooled or cold tea
- Kulau
• Give as much of these fluids as the child will drink, after every
watery stool.
• Continue giving the fluids till the diarrhoea stops
Note: Only give the mother ORS packets to mix at home if you are very sure
that she can do this properly and understands how to use them.
51
DIARRHOEA-MILD (Continued)
(NO SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION)
ii. Give the child plenty of food to prevent undernutrition:
• Continue to breast feed frequently.
• Give fresh fruit or mashed banana to provide potassium.
• Give freshly prepared foods. Rice, sweet potato or taro mixed
with vegetable and meat or fish are good. Cook and mash or
grind food well.
• Encourage the child to eat, offer food at least 6 times a day.
• After the diarrhoea stops, give an extra meal each day for two
weeks.
iii. Bring the child back to the health worker in 2 days or sooner if any
of the following happen:
• many watery stools
• repeated vomiting
• marked thirst
• eating or drinking poorly
• fever
• blood in stool
REMEMBER TO DISCUSS WITH THE PARENTS, IMPORTANT
WAYS TO PREVENT DIARRHOEA, ESPECIALLY HAND WASHING
AND THE USE OF PROPER TOILETS
(Use a Flip Chart if you have one)
PATIENTS WITH DIARRHOEA NEED TO DRINK
MORE FLUID MORE OFTEN
52
DIARRHOEA – LASTING MORE THAN 7 DAYS
(PERSISTENT DIARRHOEA)
Admit to hospital or health center.
TREATMENT:
a. Fluids – check for signs of dehydration and treat as appropriate
b. Encourage extra food
c. Look for signs of malnutrition and treat if present (p. 75)
d. If no RDT, very sick and febrile treat for severe malaria. If not sick and
febrile do RDT and treat accordingly.
e. Tinidazole (500mg tablet) Give a single dose orally
Weight (kg)
No of tab.
Weight (kg)
No of tab.
3 – 5.9
¼ tab
20-29.9
2tab
6 – 9.9
½ tab
30-39.9
3tab
10 – 14.9
1 tab
40kg or more
4tab
15 – 19.9
1½ tab
Repeat dose only if first dose vomited.
(Use metronidazole if tinidazole is not available (see p. 146).
f. Albendazole (must be crushed or chewed)
! No oedema: once only
! Oedema present: daily for 3 days
Weight
5-9.9kg
10kg or more
No of Tab
1 tab
2 tab
g. Zinc tablets
Give zinc 20mg tablets daily for 10 days
Weight
(kg)
5-9.9kg
10kg or more
No of Tab
1/2 tab
1 tab
53
DIARRHOEA — LASTING MORE THAN 7 DAYS (continued)
(PERSISTENT DIARRHOEA)
h. Check for lactose intolerance
If the area around the anus is red and inflamed.
• Reduce the amount and frequency of breast feeds for 2 days.
• Keep mother's breasts expressed.
• Give lactose-free milk at least 6 times a day if available
Weight
3-5.9kg
6-9.9kg
10-14.9kg
No of mls
120ml
240ml
300ml
• If you do not have any lactose-free milk, give Oral Rehydration Solution
(ORS) or other clear fluids e.g. rice water, coconut water.
• Give extra food.
54
DIARRHOEA WITH BLOOD - DYSENTERY
• Treat as for diarrhoea (see pages 44-53).
• Treat the cause of the bleeding.
• If only small specks of blood are present and the child is not very sick,
no special treatment is required but the child should be observed
carefully.
• If the child has one of the following:
- Malnutrition.
- Blood and mucus mixed throughout the stool.
- Looks very sick.
- Small amounts of blood in the stool for more than 3 days.
- Large amounts of blood in the stool.
• If the child has blood and in stool and abdominal pain associated with
or without distension:
-possible intussusception, need urgent admission and or referral
Treat the child with:
a. . Ciprofloxacin
- Dose: 10-15mg/kg orally twice daily for 5 days (see p. 138).
b Amoxycillin and Gentamycin ivi if child very sick or
Ceftriaxone at 50mg/kg twice daily and refer asap
c.Tinidazole
- Give orally once daily for 3 days (see p. 148).
d. Albendazole (see p. 140).
e. Antimalarials (if RDT positive p. 67).
e. Zinc tablets 20mg
Give daily until diarrhoea stops or for 5 days
Weight (kg)
5-9.9kg
10kg or more
No of Tab
1/2 tab
1 tab
55
DIARRHOEA DUE TO CHOLERA
Cholera is a diarrhoeal disease caused by infection of the intestine with the
bacterium Vibrio cholerae. About 20% of those who are infected develop
acute, watery diarrhoea. 20% of these develop severe watery diarrhoea with
vomiting. If these patients are not promptly and adequately treated, the loss of
such large amounts of fluid and salts can lead to severe dehydration and death
within hours.
Rehydration and replacement of electrolytes is the most important part of
cholera treatment.
• The patient should receive different rehydration therapy (oral or
intravenous fluids) depending on the dehydration severity.
• Use Hartmann’s solution or Normal Saline for IV therapy.
• Oral rehydration solution (ORS) should be used during and after IV
therapy.
Degree of
dehydration
Signs
Treatment
Severe
Lethargic, unconscious,
Very sunken eyes
Floppy
Drinks poorly, unable to drink
Skin pinch goes back very
slowly
Mouth very dry
No tears
IV therapy +
Antibiotics +
ORS +
Zinc +
Very close monitoring
Mild
Restless and irritable
Dry mouth
Thirsty, drinks eagerly
Skin pinch goes back slowly
No tears
ORS +
Zinc
Very close monitoring
No
dehydration
None of the above signs
ORS at home +
Zinc
If IV fluid not possible give ORS by nasogastric tube.
56
DIARRHOEA DUE TO CHOLERA (continued)
Monitoring of the patient is crucial during treatment
Regularly monitor patients for the following:
• state of consciousness
• pulse
• dehydration signs (above)
• number and appearance of stools
• respiratory rhythm
• temperature: hypothermia common in cholera – if the temperature is
high there may be additional condition, e.g. malaria
• urine (present or not)
Antibiotic
• Give azithromycin 20mg/kg stat (p.138)
Confirmation and notification of an outbreak
Laboratory confirmation of the first 10-20 cases is essential to ascertain that
this is a cholera outbreak. Take stool samples before giving antibiotics to the
patient. Cholera is a disease that must be notified in order to control it.
Urgently notify the Provincial Disease Control Officer if you suspect a case of
cholera.
57
FEVER
The common causes of fever in children are:
• upper respiratory tract infection
• malaria
• otitis media
• measles
• urinary infection
• pneumonia
• meningitis
• diarrhoea
• abscess
Take a history and do a physical examination to find the cause of fever in your
patient
Collect urine for microscopy, see Paediatrics for Doctors in PNG, p. 378.
TREATMENT:
a. Treat the cause of the fever
b. If very sick give antimalarials: if not very ill do RDT and treat
accordingly OR if no RDT available treat if fever persists (see p.67).
c. Paracetamol to reduce fever if temperature over 38º C. Do not give
paracetamol in infants less than 3 months of age.
Over 3 months of age:
Under 10kg:
2½ml
4 times a day
10kg - 19.9kg:
5ml
4 times a day
20kg - 29.9kg:
7½ml
4 times a day
30kg or more:
10ml
4 times a day
Paracetamol can also be given as a suppository (see drug doses section).
If paracetamol is not available do NOT use aspirin in children less than 10
years old for fever reduction.
d. Give extra fluids.
e. Cool sponge if the temperature is over 38º C.
FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FEVER.
ALWAYS TREAT THIS CAUSE.
58
HIV INFECTION
Children are infected by:
1. spread from a mother who is infected
• before birth (the virus crosses the placenta)
• during delivery
• very soon after birth
2. by transmission in blood or by contaminated needles and syringes
3. uncommonly by breast feeding
Not all babies who are born to HIV infected mothers are infected
(although all of them will be positive on the HIV screening test until the age
of 15-18 months).
Does the child have at least one of the following clinical features?
1. Low weight for age
2. Persistent fever (for a month or more)
3. Enlarged lymph nodes in one or more of the following
regions – neck, axillae, groin
4. Evidence of oral candidiasis (oral thrush)
YES
NO
Suspect
symptomatic HIV
infection
Symptomatic
HIV infection
unlikely
TEST CHILD FOR HIV INFECTION
- ANTIBODY TESTING IF ≥ 18 MONTHS OLD
- PCR DNA/RNA TESTING IF BETWEEN 6
WEEKS AND 18 MONTHS OLD
59
HIV INFECTION (continued)
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Infants and young children with 2 or more of the following should be referred
for examination and screening:
• Persistent diarrhoea (more than 2 weeks)
• Severe thrush infection
• Malnutrition which does not respond well to treatment
• Recurrent or persistent chest infections
• Unexplained enlargement of lymph glands
• TB responding poorly to treatment
• Persistent unexplained fever
• An infected parent
If you suspect HIV, refer the child to your Medical Officer or
pediatrician.
TREATMENT
a. Symptomatic treatment: Treat the child's signs and symptoms with the
correct standard treatment. Remember that infected children may not
respond to treatment as quickly as non-infected children.
b. Nutrition: Give the best nutrition that you can. Monitor the child's
growth.
c. Nursing care: Give the best nursing care you can give. Children with
HIV infection and their families need care, kindness and
consideration. The risks of infection to staff are very small indeed if
staff follow the guidelines for nursing infected patients (in particular
avoiding contact with blood and body secretions by wearing gloves).
d. Breast feeding: Counsel the mother about feeding options:
• The baby’s best chance of survival is exclusive breast feeding for
the first six months after birth, followed by introduction of
complementary feeding after six months, with breast feeding
continuing for as long as the mother wishes and is able to do so,
irrespective of the Mother’s or Baby’s HIV status.
60
HIV INFECTION (continued)
Current evidence states that Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF) for
the first six months provides the best chance of overall survival
for the large majority of children, irrespective of HIV status of
mother and baby
• If affordable, feasible, acceptable, sustainable and safe (AFASS),
infant formula feeding is an option, but it is less desirable for the
overall health of the baby. Refer to Medical Officer, Paediatrician
or Child Health Nurse for advice.
e. Immunisation: It is important to give all vaccines for children with HIV
infection. However BCG should not be given while the child is very ill.
BCG should still be given to all newborns of HIV-positive mothers,
unless they are very ill.
f. Explanation: Once the diagnosis is confirmed, explain as simply and as
kindly as you can about HIV infection.
g. Respect: Respect the patient’s and families right to confidentiality
h. Prophylaxis for Pneumocystis Pneumonia: All infants of HIV positive
mothers should receive cotrimoxazole 0.6ml per kg each day.
i. Prophylaxis for TB: All HIV exposed children should receive INAH
prophylaxis until HIV testing is done then discontinue if test is negative.
j. Treatment of other infections: It is important to treat intercurrent
infections. Refer to the relevant sections for each condition, and give
the following treatment:
Oral thrush
Nystatin or Ketoconazole or Fluconazole
Prolonged or bloody
diarrhoea
Ciprofloxacilin or azithromycin and
albendazole, tinidazole and zinc
Pneumonia
Give the usual treatment for given severity,
(e.g. penicillin or chloramphenicol) plus
cotrimoxazole. If fails to respond, consider TB
treatment
61
HIV INFECTION (continued)
k. Prevention of parent to child transmission: If the mother is tested
HIV positive:
Nevirapine 2mg/kg should be given to the baby soon as possible after
birth followed by 4 weeks twice daily of AZT 4mg/kg (see p 29).
Note:
If the mother is on ART treatment, the dose of Nevirapine is omitted. If you
are unsure, check with your paediatrician or your obstetrician
HIV (AIDS) IS A PREVENTABLE DISEASE. ADVISE THE PARENTS
OF CHILDREN WITH HIV TO USE CONDOMS WHEN HAVING
SEX TO AVOID FURTHER VIRUS TRANSMISSION AND TO AVOID
HAVING ANOTHER INFECTED CHILD
62
HIV - PREVENTION OF HIV INFECTION IN CHILDREN
Almost all of the children with HIV infection have acquired the infection from
their parents (through Mother to Child transmission- or more correctly Parent
to Child transmission, since the mother is often infected by the father).
Therefore prevention of HIV in children is prevention of HIV in adults.
All adults should follow the basic rules of HIV prevention:
Abstinence (Don’t have sex)
OR
Be faithful to one partner who is faithful to you
OR
Use a Condom
It is very sad if a baby is born with HIV infection. It is even more tragic
if the mother becomes pregnant again. All HIV infected mothers and
their partners need unhurried discussion about the fact that any future
pregnancy will very likely result in the birth of another infected baby,
and about ways in which pregnancy can be prevented.
63
IMMUNISATION
• Always check the expiry date on the ampoule or vial and check the vial
monitor.
• Never use vaccines that have expired.
• Keep all vaccines in the main compartment of the refrigerator
(temperature 2-8ºC), not in the freezer. Only ice packs are kept in the
freezer compartment.
• Use cool boiled water to clean the skin before giving an injection. Do
not use alcohol or an alcohol swab.
On patrol
• Pack vaccines in ice in a vaccine carrier.
• If the ice packs have melted by the end of the day, all remaining
vaccines whether opened or not should be discarded
• If ice packs are still partly frozen at the end of the day, put all unopened
vaccine vials back in the refrigerator and use these first at the next
immunisation session.
• Write the date on the vials before returning them to the refrigerator.
• Don't forget to check whether the child’s brothers and sisters and mother
need immunisation also.
• The only vaccines ever to be withheld are Pentavalent and hepatitis B if
the child has a fever of more than 38ºC. (These should be given when
the temperature returns to normal).
• You must always immunise a child even though you may have to open a
new vial for only one child. Order more vaccine to make sure you have
sufficient for all the children expected at the clinic plus a little extra as
well.
• At the end of each immunisation session return the opened Pentavalent,
hepatitis B, polio, and tetanus toxoid vials with any remaining vaccine to
the refrigerator. These vaccines can be used within the next 5 days.
• Discard reconstituted BCG and measles vaccines at the end of each
immunisation session.
64
PNG IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE
VACCINE
WHEN GIVEN
WHAT DOSE
ROUTE
BCG
1. As soon as possible after birth
0.05ml
Intradermal into
left upper arm
Hepatitis B
Vaccine
1. As soon as possible after birth
(within 24 hours)
0.5ml (10mcg)
Intramuscular
into left thigh
Measles Vaccine
1. At 6 months of age or as soon
as possible afterwards
2. At 9 months of age or 3
months after the first dose
0.5ml
Subcutaneous
into right upper
arm
Do not give IM
Oral Polio
(OPV/Sabin)
1. One month of age
2. One month after 2
nd
dose
3. One month after 3
rd
dose
2 drops
Orally
Pentavalent
Vaccine
(contains TA,
Haemophilus
influenza &
Hepatitis B
vaccines)
1. One month of age
2. One month after 1
st
dose
3. One month after 2
nd
dose
0.5ml
Intramuscular
into right upper
arm
Tetanus Toxoid
1. First year of community
school
2. Last year of community
school
3. During pregnancy (2 doses, 4
weeks apart in the first
pregnancy, one dose in each of
the next pregnancies)
0.5ml
Intramuscular
into left upper
arm
Vitamin A
Capsules
1. At 6 months of age together
with measles vaccine
100,000 Units
*
Orally
1. At 12, 18 and 24 months
200,000 Units
*
*Check the units in Vitamin A capsule *
65
IMMUNISATION (continued)
Notes
The new PENTAVALENT VACCINE contains Triple Antigen, Hepatitis B
and Hib vaccine in the one vaccine. This vaccine prevents 5 diseases in one
vaccine. 3 doses are necessary: at 1, 2 and 3 months
*The birth dose of Hepatitis B vaccine is very important and should still be
given separately, the 3 later doses of Hep B are given as PENTAVALENT
66
LYMPH GLAND ENLARGEMENT
Lymph nodes larger than 1cm may be caused by:
• Acute infections
• Tuberculosis
• Malignancy
1. Sudden onset of swelling (often with fever)
Probably due to acute infection (if a neck gland, check the throat for pus on
the tonsils and ears for pus.)
TREATMENT:
• Amoxycillin orally for 2 weeks (see p.140)
• If abscess forms " Incision and drainage. Refer if necessary.
• If not improved after 5 days, refer to health centre or hospital.
2. Large glands growing slowly (more than 1 month)
Investigate for tuberculosis:
• Take a history of TB contact within the family
• Do a Mantoux test
• Do a TB Score (see p. 122)
Check Mantoux at 72 hours. Mantoux test is positive if >10mm reaction at 72
hours (or >5mm if the child is malnourished or has HIV).
If Mantoux positive " Treat for tuberculosis (see p. 126).
If Mantoux negative " Refer to health centre or hospital for chest X-ray
and gland biopsy.
67
MALARIA
68
MALARIA
SEVERE MALARIA
Children who are very sick, unconscious or convulsing, (Cerebral Malaria),
MUST be referred to the nearest Hospital or Health Centre.
Pre-referral treatment
At Aid Post and or Rural Health Centre
Use Artesunate suppository 10mg/kg
• Artesunate suppositories are available in 50mg & 200mg strengths. They
can be cut in half.
• To prevent expulsion, hold the buttocks of children together for 10
minutes after insertion. If suppository is expelled within 30 minutes, give
another suppository.
• Repeat the dose of Artesunate suppository after 24 hours and daily until
referral is possible
Artesunate suppository for pre-referral treatment by weight
Weight (Kg)
Formulation 2-5.9 6-9.9 10-14.9 15-19.9 20-29.9 30-39.9 40-49.9 50+
50mg ½ 1 2 2
200mg - - - - 1 1.5 2 4
*After inserting suppositories, wait at least 10 minutes before inserting
another suppository.
Malaria is not common in children with body weight lower than 3 kg,
Other causes of fever must be fully looked for, and management/care
should be supervised in a hospital setting
69
MALARIA (continued)
At Health Centre
If patient was referred from Aid Post or Rural Health Centre and if Artesunate
suppository was given as pre-referral treatment
• Give first dose of Artesunate injection if it is 12hours after the last dose
of Artesunate suppository
• Continue parenteral (IV/IM) Artesunate until referral to hospital is
possible
• Commence parenteral Artesunate, if no treatment has been given yet.
• If patient markedly improved whilst waiting for referral, continue
Artesunate to complete at least 3 doses of parenteral treatment
• Then continue with Artemether-Lumefantrine (Coartem) to complete
the 3-day course
At Hospital
• Nurse the child on the side and clear the airway regularly.
• Take a malaria slide to confirm malaria infection
• Assess whether patient completed full course of Artemether-
Lumefantrine therapy:
a) If did not complete full course of Artemether-Lumefantrine
- Give artesunate IV/IM followed by full course of Artemether-
Lumefantrine
- Use artesunate injection
Artesunate Injection (60mg) (A)
The mixture can be given IV or IM
• IV mixture is 60mg in 6ml
• IM mixture is 60mg in 3ml
• Artesunate dose is 2.4mg/Kg per dose IV or IM
- Give a dose on admission, the next dose 12 hours later then daily
- Give for a minimum of 2 doses and continue until the patient can
swallow, then complete full course of AL (p.72)
b) If completed full course of Artemether-Lumefantrine and
blood slide remain positive
- If able to swallow give Dihydroartemisin-piperaquine (DP) (p. 73)
- If still very sick or unable to swallow give quinine
70
MALARIA (continued)
Artesunate injection for severe malaria
Weight (Kg)
Formulation
Days and doses
3-
5.9
6-
9.9
10-
14.9
15-
19.9
20-
29.9
30-
39.9
40-
49.9
50+
IV
60mg in
6mls
Day 1: 1
st
dose
& 2
nd
dose (12h)
1ml
2ml
3ml
4ml
6ml
8ml
10ml
12ml
Day 2 onwards:
once a day
1ml
2ml
3ml
4ml
6ml
8ml
10ml
12ml
IM
60mg in
3mls
Day 1: 1
st
dose
& 2
nd
dose (12h
after)
0.5
ml
1ml
1.5
ml
2ml
3ml
4ml
5ml
6ml
Day 2 onwards:
once a day
0.5
ml
1ml
1.5
ml
2ml
3ml
4ml
5ml
6ml
• If artesunate is not available, quinine injection should be given as
tabulated below.
• When the patient can tolerate oral treatment, give a full cause of
Artemether-Lumefantrine as in treatment for uncomplicated malaria
below (p.72).
• Do a lumbar puncture if you can:
- If CSF clear:
- Give IM or IV artesunate injection (p.69)
- If CSF cloudy or bloodstained, or if you cannot get CSF:
- Give IM or IV artesunate (p. and ceftriaxone for meningitis
(see p.88)
• Do dextrostix (if available) and repeat every 6 hours until the child is
conscious:
- If less than 2.2mmol: insert an IV of 10% Dextrose, give 5ml/kg over
5-10 minutes then run 4.3% dextrose saline at “coma regimen” rate (see
p. 135).
- If IV Dextrose is not available, give N/G Full Strength Sunshine Milk
(FSSM) 4 times a day (see p. 92)
- or put a moistened teaspoonful of sugar under the tongue
71
MALARIA (continued)
Second line treatment for severe malaria
Indications for second line treatment
1. Treatment failure of the artemisinin derivatives; or
2. Allergy to artemisinin
The drugs for second line treatment are quinine (QN) injection if child is very
sick followed by QN tablets when patient is able to swallow.
Dosage
• Quinine 600mg in 10ml injection (QN)
o Loading dose (LD): IM 20mg/kg or
IV 20mg/kg given over 4 hours
o Maintenance dose (MD): IM 10mg/kg or
IV 10mg/kg given over 2 hours
- Children: give MD 12 hours after start of LD
- Adults: give MD 8 hours after start of LD
o Continue giving MD at specified intervals until patient can take
orally
• When the patient can swallow, give quinine tablets (QN) at 10mg/kg
every 8 hours for 7 days
Second line treatment for severe falciparum malaria
Weight (Kg)
Quinine
3-5.9
6-
9.9
10-
14.9
15-
19.9
20-
29.9
30-
39.9
40-
49.9
50+
LD (20mg salt/kg)
1ml
2ml
4ml
5ml
8ml
10ml
15ml
20ml
MD (10mg salt/kg)
0.5ml
1ml
2ml
2.5ml
4ml
5ml
7.5ml
10ml
• If the total volume of quinine injection for IM is more than 3ml, the
volume should be halved and one-half injected in each thigh
72
MALARIA (continued)
Treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria and presumptive
treatment
First line Uncomplicated P. Falciparum Malaria
Important decision criteria
TREATMENT
Artemether - Lumefantrine 20/120mg combination tab (AL = Coartem)
• 2mg/kg/dose (A) & 12mg/kg/dose (L)
• 6 doses over 3 days given at 0h, 8h, 24h, 36h, 48h & 60h
• Best taken with fatty or oily food or breast milk.
Day
Weight (Kg)
< 5
5-14.9
15-24.9
25-34.9
>34
Day 1(AL)
1
st
dose at 0 hours
2
nd
dose after 8 hours
½
1/2
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
Day 2 (AL)
3
rd
dose after 24 hours
4
th
dose after 36 hours
½
1/2
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
Day 3 (AL)
5
th
dose after 48 hours
6
th
dose after 60 hours
½
1/2
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
If you have available microscopy or RDT kit – Test and treat
according to finding.
If you do not have microscopy or RDT kit – use the 13 step checklist
for childhood illness to make diagnosis
*0 hours is the time when the 1
st
dose of AL treatment is given.
The second dose must be given at 8 hours after the 1
st
dose.
*If patients vomit within one hour, the dose should be repeated.
*For babies less than 5 Kg. It is recommended that the dose of
2mg/kg/dose (A) & 12 mg/kg/dose (L) is used. This will amount
to half of one tablet. Malaria is not common in children weighing
less than 3kg, and other causes must be looked for.
73
MALARIA (continued)
Second line treatment
WHAT TO DO WHEN THE FIRST LINE TREATMENT FAILS
• Criteria for treatment failure:
- Patient has completed a full course of AL
- Did not have vomiting or diarrhoea whilst taking treatment
- Positive PF blood slide (if microscopy available) within 14 days after
full course of AL
- No other obvious cause of fever
• All patients with treatment failure within 14 days after a full course of
treatment with AL must be referred to the nearest health facility that has a
microscope for parasitological confirmation.
Treatment failure within 14 days of receiving an ACT (e.g. Artemether &
Lumefantrine) is very unusual and should be confirmed by microscopy,
documented and reported
TREATMENT
Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA-PPQ) is a fixed formulation and
contains 40mg dihydroartemisinin and 320mg piperaquine per tablet
Dose
Dihydroartemisinin dose of 2.1mg per kilogram.
Piperaquine phosphate dose of 17.1mg per kilogram daily for 3 days.
DHA-PPQ(6.4mg/kg DHA and 51.2mg/kg PPQ total dose).
Body Weight Range (Kg)
1-5
6-10
11-20
21-30
31-40
41-45
46-55
56-65
66-75
D1
¼
½
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
D2
¼
½
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
D3
¼
½
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Total
¾
1.5
3
4.5
6
7.5
9
10.5
12
74
MALARIA (continued)
Treatment schedules of vivax malaria
First line treatment
Vivax malaria is treated with AL plus primaquine (PQ)
• Artemether 20mg & Lumefantrine 120mg tab (AL): 2mg/kg (A) &
12mg/kg (L)
o 6 doses over 3 days given at 0h, 24h, 36h, 48h & 60h
• PQ: 0.25mg/kg daily for 14 days after 3 days of AL
Weight (kg)
Primaquine (7.5
mg tab)
Weight (Kg)
Primaquine (7.5
mg tab)
5-9.9
¼
30-39
1
10-14.9
½
40-49
11/2
15-19.9
½
50+
2
20-29.9
1
Prophylaxis:
Give to children living in malarial areas with:
• malnutrition
• anaemia
• a very large spleen (at or below the level of the umbilicus)
Give once a week on the same day each week for 3 months or until the problem
is resolved
Weight (Kg)
Amodiaquine
Chloroquine
3-5.9
¼ tab
6-9.9
½ tab
10-19.9
1 tab
20-29.9
1 tab
30-49.9
1 ½ tab
Adult
2 tab
75
MALNUTRITION
SUMMARY
MODERATE MALNUTRITION
Weight between -2SD and -3SD with a flat or falling weight chart
and no oedema.
Advise parents:
! Give one or two of the 6 Nutrition Messages below:
Use a Flip Chart on Nutrition if you have one.
Check and Treat
for Diseases:
! Treat for worms, anaemia, chronic diarrhoea and other
infections if present. Rule out resistant malaria and
tuberculosis.
Admit only if:
! other illness present
! or no improvement after 1 month.
SEVERE MALNUTRITION
Weight below -3SD and a flat or falling weight chart
OR there is oedema:
Admit:
1. Treat infection and anaemia. (Rule out resistant malaria and TB.)
2. Fatten the child - If he will eat, give him food
- If he will not eat, give him MOF.
3. Dietary education - Discuss Nutrition Messages (Nutrition Unit).
4. Family planning - Discuss available methods.
5. Drugs: Vitamin A, multiple vitamin liquid, folic acid, albendazole,
tinidazole, cotrimoxazole, zinc, antimalarials, measles and other vaccines (if
due or overdue).
THE SIX NUTRITION MESSAGES
1. Breast feed for at least 2 years
2. Start giving soft food as well as breast milk when your child is 4-6 months
old. If you do not know his age, start when he can roll over.
3. Feed infants and children 4-6 times a day.
4. Give infants and children a variety of healthy foods
5. Feed infants and children during sickness and feed them extra after
sickness.
6. Women need to eat more during pregnancy and when breast feeding,
especially foods high in energy and protein.
76
MALNUTRITION (continued)
DIAGNOSIS
1. Measuring and recording the weight
a. Weigh the child carefully on the most accurate scales available.
zero the scales first.
b. Assess the age as accurately as possible, and write it in the notes.
If the child has 1-19 teeth, then the approximate age (in mths) =
Number of teeth +6.
c. Using the weight chart, mark the weight in the column above the
child’s age.
d. Compare the weight with the previous weights, for easy comparison
plot the chart.
2. Deciding the child’s nutritional state
a. If the weight is above -2SD and increasing, then the child is well
nourished. If the weight is between -2SD and -3SD and increasing
then the child is also well nourished.
b. Praise the parents for their well-fed child.
If he is over 6 months old, check that he is being given food as well
as breast milk.
c. If the weight is below -2SD and not increasing (flat or falling weight
curve) and the child has no oedema, this is moderate malnutrition:
-Give dietary education (see p. 77).
-Admit if: other illness is present or, if the child does not improve
after 1 month.
d. If the weight is below -3SD and not increasing OR, if there is
oedema and a flat or falling weight curve, regardless of the level of
the weight curve, this is severe malnutrition: admit (see p. 79).
3. Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC)
If the child is older than 12 months, and the MUAC is less than 13.5cm,
then he or she is likely to be malnourished. If possible, check the weight
and plot on a growth chart.
77
MALNUTRITION (continued)
OUTPATIENT TREATMENT
Children with moderate malnutrition (underweight)
i.e.: weight below -2SD and no oedema and a flat or falling weight curve.
a. Discuss the problem with the parents:
(i) Try to find the reason for the malnutrition e.g.
• Soft food was started later than 6 months of age.
• Not enough high energy and protein foods given.
• Not enough food for the family.
• Only one or two meals of solid food each day.
• Too much ‘junk’ food (sweet biscuits, cheese pops, lollywater)
• Too many children in the family, or children born too close
together
• The child has a chronic infection (gastroenteritis, malaria,
tuberculosis, urinary infection).
(ii) Discuss nutrition and family planning with the parents (use a flipchart
if you have one). Encourage the mother to:
• Continue breast feeding.
• Give food 4-6 times a day.
• Add coconut cream, dripping, or margarine to the child's food.
• Grow peanuts and beans for the child to eat.
• Commence a suitable family planning method.
b. Give a single dose of albendazole (see p. 140)
c. Examine for any infection or anaemia (see p. 16): Treat if present.
d. Ask about diarrhoea. If present more than 7 days treat as per p. 52.
e. Check for enlarged spleen and ask about recurrent fevers.
Test and treat for malaria if present (see p.67).
Give weekly prophylaxis for up to 3 months (if in a malarial area) or till
the child is no longer malnourished (p.74).
78
MALNUTRITION (continued)
f. Check for tuberculosis by performing a TB Score (see p. 122)
Commence treatment if indicated.
g. Refer to Nutrition Unit, if available, and arrange for regular follow up to
check progress.
If there is no weight gain after 1 month:
• Suggest admission to hospital or health centre.
If mother refuses admission:
• Give as much of the inpatient investigation and treatment as you can.
• Teach the mother one or two important nutrition messages and give a
demonstration if possible.
• Arrange for the MCH sisters to make home visits.
MALNUTRITION: OUTPATIENT TREATMENT – SUMMARY
STEP 1
Discuss with the parents: More food more often / family planning. (Use a
flipchart if you have one)
STEP 2
Albendazole.
STEP 3
Examine for any infection or anaemia: Treat if present.
STEP 4
Treat for persistent diarrhoea if present.
STEP 5
Test for malaria and treat if present.
STEP 6
Do a TB Score.
79
MALNUTRITION (continued)
INPATIENT TREATMENT
Admit: • Children with moderate malnutrition (weight between -2SD and
-3SD with no oedema and a flat or falling weight chart) if not
improving after 1 month of outpatient treatment.
• Children with severe malnutrition (weight under -3SD, OR there
is oedema (kwashiorkor), with a flat or falling weight chart).
a. Treat infection and anaemia
Examine carefully and treat any infection that may be present e.g.
• Persistent diarrhoea (see p. 43)
• malaria (see p. 72)
• tuberculosis (see p. 122)
• pneumonia (see p. 103)
• otitis media (see p. 97)
• worm infestation of the bowel (see p. 16)
• scabies (see p. 117)
• urinary infection (see p. 136)
• septicaemia - in children who are severely malnourished (severe
kwashiorkor or severe marasmus), it is best to treat for septicaemia
with ampicillin (or benzyl penicillin) and gentamicin (see p. 138)
• Also treat for anaemia (see p. 16) and thrush if present.
b. Fatten the child
Weigh the child twice a week and record the weight. A child who loses
weight after 2 weeks of supervised inpatient treatment may have TB. Use
the TB score chart (see p. 122).
(i) If the child will eat, give plenty of food:
• 3 big meals each day(give Plumpy-Nut if available
• Snacks between meals
• Food should be locally available
• Add coconut cream, dripping or margarine to each meal.
80
81
MALNUTRITION (continued)
(ii) If the mother does not have enough breast milk, give her
metaclopramide (Maxalon) 10mg tabs 3 times a day, OR
chlorpromazine (Largactil) one 25mg tab 3 times a day for 1-2
weeks. Encourage her to breast feed the baby many times a day.
(iii) Ensure that the mother is well fed and check her health.
(iv) If the child refuses to eat enough food, give MOF (milk-oil
formula) (see p. 92), 6 times a day:
Weight (kg)
3—5.9 kg
6—9.9 kg
10—14.9 kg
No of ml MOF
120
240
300
Give MOF by cup, or by nasogastric (NG) tube. If feeding by NG
tube, splint the child’s elbows.
When the child is drinking well, gradually replace the MOF with
food (see p. 92).
(v) If the child has diarrhoea:
Continue breast feeding
• Give extra fluids to drink (water, rice-water, kaukau water,
weak tea, coconut juice).
• Treat for severe diarrhoea if the child is dehydrated (see p. 45).
• Gradually introduce FSS and then MOF when the diarrhoea has
stopped if the child is not eating well.
• Give zinc 20mg per day
c. Dietary education (Use a flipchart if available)
• Try to find out why this child is malnourished. Talk to the mother
about how this problem can be overcome.
• Whenever possible, the mother should help prepare local food for the
child while he is still an inpatient.
• The mother should be taught how much food the child needs and how
to prepare a mixture of foods.
• Encourage the mother to add extra coconut cream, dripping or
margarine to the child's food and to give peanuts, beans, fish or meat.
82
• The mother and father should learn that all children need food 4-6
times each day.
• Continually encourage the mother to feed the child
MALNUTRITION (continued)
d. Family planning (Use a flipchart if available)
If one child in the family is already malnourished and the mother has
another baby, then there will be less food for each child. Discuss with the
mother (and if possible the father), the benefits of family planning.
• For family planning tell them about:
- condoms
- the injection
- the pill
- the loop
- the ovulation method.
• For preventing further children:
- Tubal ligation or vasectomy.
If they wish to accept a method, then arrange this.
e. Drugs
(i) Give oral vitamin A immediately:
Under 1 year
1 concentrated blue
capsule (100,000 units)
1 year or more
2 concentrated blue
capsules (200,000 units)
Give 2 more doses, the second on the second day and the third after
one week.
(ii) Multiple-vitamin liquid 1ml daily.
(iii) Folic acid 1 tablet daily.
(iv) Electrolyte mixture 5mls daily (contains zinc, potassium and
magnesium). Electrolyte mixture should be made with whatever of
the 3 components are available, and given to all children with
severe malnutrition.
83
MALNUTRITION (continued)
(v) Albendazole: (must be crushed or chewed)
Weight (kg)
Dose
If no oedema
If oedema
5-9.9
1 tab
Stat Dose
Daily for 3 days
10kg or more
2 tab
Stat Dose
Daily for 3 days
(vi) Tinidazole: Give once daily for 3 days (see p. 148).
(vii) Cotrimoxazole (Septrin) twice a day for 7 days (see p. 143).
Note: Use amoxycillin (or benzyl penicillin) and gentamicin if the
child has severe malnutrition (see p. 138)
(viii) Check for enlarged spleen and ask about recurrent fevers. Test and
treat for malaria if present (see p. 67). Give weekly prophylaxis for
up to 3 months (if in a malarial area) or until the child is no longer
malnourished (p. 74).
(ix) Give measles and other vaccines if the child is due or overdue for
them (see p. 64).
(x) Nystatin 1ml 3 times a day, or Gentian Violet 2 times a day if the
child has thrush.
INVESTIGATIONS
Always:
1. Weigh at least twice a week and record the weight.
2. TB Score (see p. 122)
If possible:
3. Haemoglobin
4. Blood slide
5. Urine for protein, if the child has oedema
6. Urine for microscopy and culture
7. Stool for parasites (especially strongyloides) if the child has
oedema
8. Mantoux test
9. Chest X-ray
10. Gastric aspiration for AFB
11. Investigation of contacts for TB
12. Consider HIV testing (see p. 58)
84
MALNUTRITION (continued)
A NUTRITION GARDEN AND NUTRITION UNIT ARE IMPORTANT
FOR THE TREATMENT OF MALNOURISHED CHILDREN AND
THEIR FAMILIES ADMITTED TO HEALTH CENTRE OR
HOSPITAL.
Note: There are many other reasons apart from malnutrition and
infection that may cause the child to look malnourished (failure to thrive).
If the child does not respond to your treatment there may be some
underlying cause. Refer the child for further investigation and treatment.
85
MEASLES
1. Treat as outpatient where possible.
2. Admit to hospital if the child looks very sick or is malnourished or if
serious complications occur e.g:
• pneumonia
• dark staining rash
• diarrhoea with dehydration
• stridor (noisy breathing).
• convulsions
• severe oral thrush
• difficulty with drinking
TREATMENT
a. Give paracetamol if temperature is over 38.0 C (see p. 146).
b.Extra fluids, if diarrhoea (see p. 43).
c. Conjunctivitis. Treat this with antibiotic eye ointment. (see p. 39).
d. Treat pneumonia (see p. 103) and otitis media (see p. 96) if present.
e. Give two doses of oral Vitamin A to all children with measles presenting to
hospital or health centre:
Age
Dose day 1
Dose day 2
under 1 year
100,000 units
100,000 units
1 year or more
200,000 units
200,000 units
f. Give measles vaccine to all the child’s siblings who are between 6 months
and 5 years of age and who have not been vaccinated. If you are not sure if
the child has measles or not, give him measles vaccine as well.
g. Vaccinate all children in the ward over the age of 6 months who have not
had measles vaccine.
h. Treat oral thrush if present.
86
MEDICINE FOR MOTHERS TO TAKE HOME
Children should receive the first doses of all medications before leaving the
clinic. Often it is necessary to give mothers medicine that they will give later to
their children at home. e.g:
• Artemether-Lumefantrine
• folic acid
• phenobarbitone (phenobarb)
• salbutamol
• ORS
1. Make sure that you are giving the correct medicine and the correct dose.
Carefully check this book.
2. Only put one kind of medicine into a bottle - do not mix two different types
of medicine in the same bottle.
3. Explain to the mother:
• When she should give the medicine to the child.
• That she should store the medicine out of reach of the child.
4. Ask the mother to tell you what you have explained to her
Note: Empty penicillin bottles are very useful.
Before the clinic commences:
• Remove the rubber lids.
• Wash and dry the bottles.
• Put the medicine in the bottles.
• Label the bottles.
MEDICINES MUST ALWAYS BE LABELED
87
MENINGITIS OR SEVERE SEPSIS
Always think about meningitis or severe sepsis when you see any very sick or
convulsing child.
The signs of meningitis or severe sepsis are high fever, severe headache, neck
stiffness, severe vomiting, repeated convulsions, lethargy or unconsciousness,
bulging fontanelle, severe respiratory distress, shock (weak pulses, HR>160,
low blood pressure or cold skin) or purpura (red or black spots on the skin).
If you suspect meningitis or severe sepsis give IM or IV ceftriaxone plus
treatment for severe malaria (see p. 67). If ceftriaxone not available give
chloramphenicol.
If there are any signs of skin sepsis (boils, pustules, swollen joints) give
flucloxacillin also.
EMERGENCY TREATMENT
Nurse any unconscious or convulsing child on the side and keep the airway
clear.
Give oxygen if there is severe respiratory distress, cyanosis or the oxygen
level is <90%
If the child is shocked (weak pulses, HR>160, low blood pressure or cold
skin), give IV Normal Saline or Hartmanns, a bolus of 20ml/kg, then reassess.
The child will need a further bolus of 20ml/kg if the shock does not resolve
Investigations
• Do a lumbar puncture if you can, except when the child is extremely ill.
Send CSF for cells, gram stain protein, sugar, culture
• Blood slide or RDT for malaria
• Haemoglobin
• Dextrostix to check for hypoglycaemia. If unconscious or fitting give
sugar under the tongue (a teaspoon of sugar with water repeated every 20
mins) or 5ml/kg 10% dextrose if the child has a drip running.
• Oxygen saturation (SpO
2
) using a pulse oximeter, if SpO2<93% give
oxygen
88
MENINGITIS OR SEVERE SEPSIS (continued)
1. Antibiotics
Many bacteria causing meningitis and severe sepsis are now resistant to
chloramphenicol. Ceftriaxone will be available in most hospitals, and it
should be given to any child with meningitis or severe sepsis.
Give ceftriaxone for 10 days
Give 50mg/kg IM or IV twice daily for 10 days.
It is important that stocks of ceftriaxone are available, so get some in.
(Cefotaxime - given 6 hourly - or ceftazadime are alternatives)
If the child has any signs of skin sepsis (boils, pustules, swollen joints)
give cloxacillin or flucloxacillin.
If ceftriaxone is not available give chloramphenicol for 14 days
Give IM every 6 hours, 25mg/kg/dose. (100mg/kg/day)
Add 4ml sterile water to 1gram vial.
Weight
No of mls
Weight
No of mls
3 — 4.9kg*
½ml
15 — 19.9kg
2ml
5 — 6.9kg
¾ ml
20 — 29.9kg
2½ ml
7 — 9.9kg
1 ml
30 — 49.9kg
3ml
10 — 14.9kg
1½ ml
Adult
4ml
* (for babies less than 1 month old, see Babies – Drug Doses (p. 28).
If the child is not improving on chlorampenicol, and you don’t have
ceftriaxone, refer to hospital immediately.
If giving chloramphenicol for meningitis: If less than three months of age or
those with severe malnutrition, continue IM chloramphenicol for 14 days if
possible. In well nourished children more than three months of age, change to
oral chloramphenicol every 6 hours when the patient has no fever and looks
well (usually after 3 to 5 days). It is very important that you check that the
child has taken the medicine well; if not, change back to IM treatment.
89
MENINGITIS OR SEVERE SEPSIS (continued)
Weight (kg)
Oral Chloramphenicol
3 — 4.9
4ml suspension
5 — 6.9
6ml suspension
7 — 9.9
8ml suspension
10 — 14.9
12ml suspension or 1 capsule
15 — 19.9
15ml suspension or 1 capsule
20 — 49.9
2 capsules
Adult
4 capsules
If you do not have either ceftriaxone or chloramphenicol, give benzyl
(crystalline) penicillin IM every 3 hours and refer to hospital immediately.
3. Anticonvulsants
(a) Stop fits
• Test for hypoglycaemia and give sugar under tongue if
confirmed or suspected.
• Give IM paraldehyde or rectal diazepam (see p. 42)
(b) Prevent further fits
• Give phenobarbitone. Loading (starting) dose IM if possible
and then oral maintenance dose daily while the child is in
hospital (see below).
(c) All children less than 2 years of age: prevent fits.
• Give phenobarbitone loading (starting) dose IM if possible
and then oral maintenance dose daily while the child is in
hospital.
Doses of Phenobarbitone 200mg/ml Ampoule or 30mg Tab
Weight (kg)
Loading (Starting)
Dose
Daily Maintenance Dose
3 — 5.9
¼ ml IM or 2 tabs
½ tab
6 — 9.9
½ ml IM or 3 tabs
1 tab
10 — 14.9
¾ ml IM or 5 tabs
2 tabs
15 — 19.9
1 ml IM or 6 tabs
3 tabs
20 — 29.9
1 ml IM or 7 tabs
4 tabs
30kg or more
1 ml IM or 7 tabs
5 tabs
90
MENINGITIS OR SEVERE SEPSIS (continued)
• Give the loading (starting) dose of phenobarbitone IM if
possible.
• If the child has a lot of fits, phenobarbitone should be
continued after discharge (see p. 43).
4. Nasogastric tube feeds
Use this if the child is too sick to feed. Use expressed breast milk
(EBM) or full strength full cream milk given 4 times a day. Splint the
child’s elbows to prevent him pulling out the tube.
Weight (kg)
No of ml
Weight (kg)
No of ml
3 — 5.9
100 ml
15— 19.9
250 ml
6 — 9.9
150 ml
20 —29.9
300 ml
10 —14.9
200 ml
30— 49.9
350 ml
5. Blood transfusion
If the child has a haemoglobin less than 6g/dL, give a blood transfusion
of packed cells if you can (see Anaemia p. 16)
MENINGITIS MUST BE DETECTED EARLY: ALWAYS CHECK
FOR NECK STIFFNESS. IF IN DOUBT: DO A LUMBAR PUNCTURE
BEWARE: SOME CHILDREN WITH MENINGITIS DO NOT HAVE
NECK STIFFNESS
THINK OF MENINGITIS OR SEVERE SEPSIS IN ALL SICK
CHILDREN
91
MILK MIXTURES
1. Full strength full-cream milk (FSM or FSS) (e.g. Sunshine or Pacific
Instant Milk)
One Feed
Ward Use
Milk Powder
(Instant)
One (1) 50ml
measuring cup
One (1) big cupful
Cool, previously
boiled water
Three (3) 50ml
measuring cups
Three (3) big
cupfuls
2. Milk Oil Formula (MOF)
- Make Full Strength Full Cream Milk as above:
- Add vegetable oil and sugar as below:
One Feed
Ward Use
Vegetable oil
10ml
50ml
Sugar
2 heaped
teaspoons
1 heaped 50ml cup
3. Half strength milk (Sugar-milk)
One or Two
Feeds
Ward Use
Milk Powder
(Instant)
One (1) 50ml
measuring cup
One (1) big cupful
Sugar
Half (½) 50ml
measuring cup
Half (½) big cupful
Cool, previously
boiled water
Six (6) 50ml
measuring cups
Six (6) big cupfuls
92
MILK MIXTURES (continued)
GENERAL RULES:
1. Whenever you use these milk mixtures, give 1ml multiple vitamin
liquid each day.
2. If you cannot keep the milk cold in a refrigerator, only make enough
milk for one feed at a time.
3. Always try to stimulate mother's milk supply with chlorpromazine or
Maxalon (see p. 33):
• if mother's milk is drying up or
• if the mother is adopting and not lactating
4. If you have to give artificial feeds, always use a glass cup, because
they are easy to keep clean. Never use a baby bottle, medicine
dropper or feeding cup with a spout.
REMEMBER THAT BREAST MILK IS BEST FOR BABIES AND
THAT ARTIFICIAL MILK FEEDS PUT THE BABY AT RISK FOR
DIARRHOEA AND OTHER SERIOUS INFECTIONS.
93
OEDEMA (SWELLING)
• Oedema is swelling caused by collection of fluid in the subcutaneous
tissues.
• Oedema may be localised or generalised.
• Localised oedema is usually due to obstruction to veins or to lymphatics
(often due to tuberculosis of the lymph glands).
• Generalised oedema may be due to:
(a) Low protein in blood: Kwashiorkor
Nephrotic Syndrome
Intestinal parasites
Liver disease
(b) Reduced excretion of water: Renal Disease
(c) Heart failure.
MANAGEMENT
• If the child has signs of heart failure (big liver and pulse more than 160
beats/min), give a dose of im or oral Lasix (frusemide p. 145) and treat
with digoxin (p. 144). If no response within 24 hours refer the child
urgently to hospital.
• If the child has signs of kwashiorkor (peeling skin, thin brittle hair) start
treatment for severe malnutrition (see p. 79) and refer the child urgently to
hospital.
• If the child has severe, generalised swelling refer the child urgently to
hospital.
• If the child has dark brown or red urine refer urgently to hospital
• If the child has mild swelling and is not "sick" treat with a 3 day
course of albendazole:
10 kg or more : 2 tabs daily for 3 days
less than 10 kg: 1 tab daily for 3 days
But if no improvement, refer the child to hospital
Note: Most children with oedema need urgent referral to hospital
94
OSTEOMYELITIS, SEPTIC ARTHRITIS AND
PYOMYOSITIS
1. • A child with a painful limb and a fever may have osteomyelitis.
• A child with a painful joint and a fever may have septic arthritis.
• A child with swelling in a muscle and fever may have pyomyositis.
These are all serious infections. It is often difficult to be sure which one is
present. Always give flucloxacillin even if there is a history of the limb
being injured.
2. If fever, tenderness and swelling remain after 48 hours of treatment, refer to
hospital.
3. Early surgical incision and drainage may be important.
TREATMENT
1. Flucloxacillin or Cloxacillin for 4 weeks (p. 143)
Give IM or IV every 6 hours if:
• Child is very sick or
• Child is vomiting
• The child is under 3 months of age
Otherwise give orally, suspension or capsules every 6 hours.
If you do not have any flucloxacillin, give chloramphenicol at 25mg/kg
per dose every 6 hours and send the child to hospital as soon as possible.
2. Blood transfusion
If the child is anaemic (haemoglobin less than 6.0g / dL), give a blood
transfusion of packed cells if this is possible (see page 18).
Investigations (to be done if possible)
1. Hb and WCC every 2 weeks to check for chloramphenicol toxicity.
2. X-ray of bone — to assess progress.
3. Culture pus — to see whether the antibiotic should be changed.
4. Blood culture.
IF A CHILD WITH OSTEOMYELITIS, SEPTIC ARTHRITIS OR
PYOMYOSITIS IS NOT IMPROVING AFTER 48 HOURS, REFER TO
HOSPITAL.
95
OTITIS MEDIA - ACUTE
• Ear pain
OR
• A red ear drum which is dull in appearance (poor or absent light reflex)
OR
• Pus discharging from the ear for less than 2 weeks.
TREATMENT
1. Amoxycillin (250 mg tab) oral 3 times a day for 5 days.
WEIGHT
Susp dose
Tab dose
WEIGHT
Tab dose
3 — 9.9kg:
5ml
½ tab
15 — 19.9kg:
1 tab
10 — 14.9kg:
7.5ml
¾ tab
20 — 29.9kg:
1½ tab
2. If fever present:
• Test for malaria and treat appropriately (see p 67)
• Antipyretics (see Fever p. 57)
3. If pus discharging:
• Ear cleaning with toilet tissue (see p. 97)
4. If pus still discharging after one week of treatment:
• Cotrimoxazole (Septrin) BD orally for 5 days (see p. 143).
5. If a tender swelling develops behind the ear then mastoiditis is present and
the child should be referred to hospital.
96
OTITIS MEDIA - CHRONIC
• One or both ears discharging pus for more than 2 weeks.
• The ear will heal only when it is dry.
1. Ear cleaning with tissue paper to dry the ear.
Show the mother as you do this:
• Use a piece of toilet tissue
• Twist lightly from one corner to form a tissue spear.
• Break off and throw away the tip which is too small.
• Break off and throw away the other end which is too big.
• Get mother to steady the child's head while you pull the top of the ear
upwards and backwards to straighten the ear canal.
• Gently push and twist the tissue into the ear canal until it stops.
(Usually about one inch)
• Leave in place for 2 minutes to absorb the pus.
• Gently remove the tissue spear.
• If soaked with pus, repeat with more spears until the ear is dry.
2. Boric acid in alcohol ear drops to kill bacteria and dry the ear after
cleaning with tissue.
Show the mother as you do this:
• Lie the child on the side on the mother's lap.
• Put 1 or 2 drops in the ear canal.
• Press twice on the flap of skin in front of the ear canal to help push
the ear drops through the perforation.
• Supply one bottle of boric acid in alcohol ear drops to the mother.
3. Advice to mother:
• Advise the mother to clean the ear 4 times a day and put in one or two
boric acid in alcohol drops after each time.
• Tell her that putting the tissue deep in the ear will not harm her child.
• Warn the mother that the child may cry for a short time after the ear
drops (it feels hot), but the ear will get better more quickly.
• Warn the mother to avoid water getting into the ear.
• Ask her to return daily, if possible, for the first few days so that you
can clean the ear and check her technique.
97
OTITIS MEDIA – CHRONIC (continued)
4. Follow up:
• Review every 2 weeks until the ear is dry.
• When the ear is dry, try to look at the drum with an auroscope. If a hole
(perforation) is still present, but the ear is dry, continue with boric acid
in alcohol drops once a day only and review monthly. If the hole
persists, refer for review by a medical officer after 3 months.
Reasons why ear toilet may fail to stop the ear discharge:
• Tissue spear made too fat and/or too short.
• Tissue spear not put far enough into the ear.
• Ear cleaning is not being done 4 times a day.
• Cotton buds are being used instead of tissue paper.
• Boric acid in alcohol ear drops not being used.
• Osteomyelitis already developed.
• Check the way the mother is doing the ear toilet
• You must show the mother again how to make the tissue spear and how to
push it gently but deeply into the ear canal.
REMEMBER:
COTTON BUDS ARE NO GOOD AND MUST NOT BE USED.
NEVER PLUG A DISCHARGING EAR WITH COTTON WOOL.
98
PERTUSSIS (WHOOPING COUGH)
1. Treat as outpatient, if mild.
2. Admit to hospital or health centre if child is less than 6 months old, or if
there are complications e.g.:
• pneumonia
• heart failure
• convulsions
• malnutrition.
OUTPATIENT TREATMENT
1. Advice
• warn the mother that the illness may last from 6 to 8 weeks
• encourage the mother to feed the child immediately after vomiting
• tell the mother to return if the child has:
- fever and shortness of breath.
- convulsions.
- loss of weight.
2. Prevent spread of pertussis
• Give pentavalent vaccine to non-immunised brothers and sisters.
INPATIENT TREATMENT
1. If the child goes blue with a cough spasm, give oxygen if available and
gentle and brief suction.
2. Give chloramphenicol or erythromycin. This stops the child from
infecting others, and also treats pneumonia if it is present.
• Give IM chloramphenicol 4 times daily if the child is less than 3
months old or has severe pneumonia (see p. 104).
• Otherwise give oral chloramphenicol for 5 days if the child does not
have pneumonia.
• Give chloramphenicol for 5—10 days if the child does have pneumonia
Weight (kg)
3 - 4.9
5 - 6.9
7 - 9.9
10 -14.9
Chloramphenicol
Suspension
4ml
6ml
8ml
12ml
3. Treat heart failure if present (see p. 105).
99
PERTUSSIS (WHOOPING COUGH) (continued)
4. Treat convulsions if they occur (see p. 41).
5. Encourage the mother to feed the child immediately after vomiting.
6. Treat malnutrition if present (see p. 75).
REMEMBER, PREVENTION IS BEST.
PERTUSSIS IS PREVENTED BY PENTAVALENT VACCINE
100
PIGBEL
1. Children with pigbel have:
Always - Severe abdominal pain starting up to 5 days after eating a
protein meal (often pig meat).
- Experience abdominal pain especially epigastric pain after a
meal
Often - Abdominal swelling
- Black-flecked or coffee ground vomit.
- Mild diarrhoea with blood (but sometimes constipation).
2. Assess each case as mild or severe.
- Mild cases can be treated at health centres.
- Severe cases should be sent to hospital immediately.
Sign
Mild
Severe
Abdominal swelling:
Some
A lot
Epigastric pain
Some
A lot
Toxic (looks sick, fast pulse):
No
Yes
Black-flecked vomit:
No
Yes
TREATMENT OF MILD PIGBEL
1. Intravenous fluid
½ strength Darrow’s
Weight (kg)
No. of mls/hr
No. of drops/min
3 — 5.9kg:
25ml/hour
7 drops/min
6 — 9.9kg:
50ml/hour
13 drops/min
10 —14.9kg:
75ml/hour
20 drops/min
15kg or more:
100ml/hour
25 drops/min
2. Pass large nasogastric tube. Aspirate then leave on free drainage. Splint
the arms.
3. Albendazole oral once (see p. 140), or mebendazole oral once (see p. 146)
then nothing to eat or drink.
4. Tinidazole oral once (see p. 148) if child is malnourished.
5. Benzyl (crystalline) penicillin (see p. 147)
101
PIGBEL (continued)
6. If the child gets sicker, or there is no improvement within 2 days - start
treatment with IV chloramphenicol and send to hospital.
7. If the child improves (reduced abdominal swelling and pain, no vomiting,
feels hungry and has bowel motions).
• after 24 hours of improvement, stop IV fluids, remove the nasogastric
tube, and give Oral Rehydration Solution (see below).
• after another 24 hours of improvement, give full strength milk (see p. 92)
over the next 24 hours.
• then give soft food, gradually introducing solid food
TREATMENT OF SEVERE PIGBEL
Patients with severe pigbel should be treated in hospital. If you cannot
transfer them immediately:
Start treatment as for mild pigbel with:
! intravenous fluid
! nasogastric tube
! nil by mouth
! benzyl (crystalline) penicillin
and give:
! chloramphenicol IV every 6 hours.
• Do not give albendazole or tinidazole to patient with severe pigbel.
• If you see a child with pigbel notify your Disease Control Officer.
102
PNEUMONIA OR BRONCHIOLITIS
SUMMARY
For children aged 1 month to 5 years
103
PNEUMONIA OR BRONCHIOLITIS — SEVERE
Cough, fast breathing and chest indrawing (very sick children may
sometimes not have fast breathing), plus
• too sick to feed properly
• or cyanosed or restless.
• or heart failure (big liver and pulse over 160 per minute).
1. Admit to hospital or health centre.
2. Suck out the nose gently when necessary to clear the airway.
3. Give oxygen (if available) at ½ -1litre per minute if the child is:
• cyanosed
• grunting
• in heart failure
• restless
• drowsy
• stopping breathing
Oxygen can be given by nasal prongs, a nasal catheter or nasopharyngeal
catheter. Nasopharyngeal catheters should be put in very carefully. The
distance inserted is the same distance from the opening of the nostril to
the front of the ear minus 1cm. Measure this distance carefully. The tube
should be removed and cleaned at least twice every day
Humidication of oxygen is recommended, but is not absolutely necessary.
4. If the child is drowsy (slip tumas) on admission, do a lumbar puncture
when he improves to check for meningitis. Do not do the lumbar
puncture while the child is very sick.
5. If child very sick and septicaemic, see section on sepsis and meningitis
TREATMENT
1. Chloramphenicol for at least 10 days
Give IM every 6 hours: Add 4ml sterile water to 1gram vial.
Weight
No. of mls
Weight
No. of mls
3— 4.9kg:
½ ml
15—19.9kg:
2 ml
5— 6.9kg:
¾ ml
20—29.9kg:
2½ ml
7— 9.9kg:
1 ml
30—49.9kg:
3 ml
10—14.9kg:
1½ ml
50kg or more
4 ml
104
PNEUMONIA OR BRONCHILITIS – SEVERE (continued)
When the patient has no fever and looks better (usually after 3 to 5 days), change
to oral chloramphenicol every 6 hours:
Oral Chloramphenicol (mls or capsules)
Weight
No. of mls
Weight
No. of mls
3— 4.9kg
4 ml
15—19.9kg
15 ml or 1
capsule
5— 6.9kg
6 ml
20—49.9kg
2 capsules
7— 9.9kg
8 ml
Adult
4 capsules
10—14.9kg
12 ml or 1 capsule
• If the child vomits up the oral chloramphenicol or will not take it,
change back to giving intramuscular chloramphenicol.
• If you do not have any chloramphenicol, give benzyl (crystalline)
penicillin as for moderate pneumonia (see p. 109) and send the child
to hospital as soon as you can.
2. Antimalarials if blood slide or RDT positive (see p. 67).
3. Treatment of heart failure
In children under 2 years of age, if the heart rate is over 160 per minute
and there is a big liver, give:
Digoxin (lanoxin) elixir (50 microgram/ml).
Give every 6 hours for 3 doses.
Weight
No. of mls
Dose in microgm.
3—5.9kg
2 ml
100 microgram
6—9.9kg
3 ml
150 microgram
10—14.9kg
5 ml
250 microgram
If the child is still in heart failure after this, give maintenance dose of
digoxin (lanoxin) elixir daily, starting 24 hours after the last dose.
Weight
No. of mls
Dose in microgm.
3—5.9kg
1 ml
50 microgram
6—9.9kg
1½ ml
75 microgram
10—14.9kg
2½ ml
125 microgram
105
PNEUMONIA OR BRONCHIOLITIS — SEVERE (continued)
4. Treatment of wheezing
• If the child is less than one year of age give a trial dose of
salbutamol through a nebulizer or metered dose inhaler and spacer,
but if there is no improvement, do not continue.
• Wheezing in older children is likely to be due to asthma (see
Asthma section), but if it does not respond to inhaled salbutamol
other possibilities such as Tuberculosis or an inhaled foreign body
should be considered.
5. Blood transfusion
• If the child has a haemoglobin less than 6g%, give a blood
transfusion of packed cells if you can (see p. 18).
NOTES: (Space to write your own notes)
106
PNEUMONIA OR BRONCHIOLITIS — MODERATE
Cough, fast breathing plus chest indrawing (rarely a child may have chest
indrawing without fast breathing), but feeding well with no cyanosis and no
heart failure.
1. Admit to hospital or health centre.
2. Suck out the nose gently when necessary to clear the airway.
TREATMENT
1. Benzyl (crystalline) penicillin
Give IM every 6 hours until improvement occurs.
Add 2ml sterile water to 1,000,000u vial.
Weight (kg)
No. of mls
No. of units
3 — 9.9kg
½ ml
250,000u
10 —19.9kg
1 ml
500,000u
20 — 29.9kg
1½ ml
750,000u
30kg or more
2 ml
1,000,000u
When the child looks better, change to:
Amoxycillin tabs or suspension 3 times daily for 5 - 10 days. (p. 140)
CHECK THE CHILD EVERY 6 HOURS.
" IF NO IMPROVEMENT AFTER 24 HOURS OR
"IF CHILD BECOMES TOO SICK TO FEED OR GETS CYANOSIS
OR RESTLESS OR HEART FAILURE,
TREAT FOR SEVERE PNEUMONIA.
107
PNEUMONIA OR BRONCHIOLITIS — MILD
Cough and fast breathing (over 40/min at rest) with no chest indrawing, and
feeding well with no cyanosis or heart failure.
1. Treat as an outpatient.
2. If there is no improvement after 2 days, admit to hospital or health
centre.
Note: A respiratory rate more than 40/min (at rest) means that the child with
cough may have pneumonia. Confirm that fast breathing is present by
asking the mother if the child is "sotwin" and deciding whether the child
looks short of breath or not.
TREATMENT
1. Amoxycillin 250mg tabs or 125mg/5ml suspension
three times daily for 5 days.
Weight (kg)
No. of tab
ml susp
3-5.9
½ tab
5ml
6 -9.9
½ tab
7 ½ ml
10 - 4.9
¾ tab
10mls
15-19.9
1 tab
20-39.9
1½ tab
40-49.9
2 tab
.
CHECK THE CHILD EVERY DAY:
" IF THERE IS CHEST INDRAWING OR
" IF NO IMPROVEMENT AFTER 2 DAYS
----ADMIT----
AND START TREATMENT FOR
MODERATE PNEUMONIA.
108
POISONING
Try and find out:
1. What drug or poison was swallowed.
2. How much was taken.
3. What time it happened.
TREATMENT
a. If the child has swallowed kerosene, petrol or a petrol based
substance , or
If the child's mouth and throat have been burnt by the substance
swallowed (e.g. bleach, toilet cleaner, or battery acid)
Do not make the child vomit
• Give milk to drink.
• If cough or shortness of breath, treat for pneumonia (see p. 103).
b. If the child has swallowed any other poisons (e.g. medicines) within the
last 4 hours
Make the child vomit if he is conscious.
• give the child a cupful of milk or water to drink
• rub the back of the child's mouth (throat) with a spatula or handle
of a spoon.
• if he does not vomit, give Syrup of Ipecac. 15ml
• if no vomiting after 10 minutes rub the back of his mouth
(throat) again with a spatula or handle of a spoon.
Do not make the child vomit if he is unconscious.
Transfer as soon as possible.
After the child has vomited, or if the ingestion occurred more than 4
hours ago, or if the child is unconscious give:
Activated Charcoal, by mouth or nasogastric tube:
! Medicoal 5g packet in 100ml drinking water
or
! Charcoal tab 200mg 25 tabs crushed in 100ml drinking water
or
! Locally prepared powdered charcoal, 5g to 100ml water can be
used.
109
POISONING (continued)
Weight
No. of mls
Weight
No. of mls
3— 5.9kg
20 ml
15—19.9kg
80 ml
6— 9.9kg
40 ml
20—29.9kg
100 ml
10—14.9kg
60 ml
30—39.9kg
130 ml
Give 3 doses, 20 minutes between each dose.
Activated charcoal causes severe lung disease if aspirated. If giving it by
nasogastric tube be sure the tube is in the stomach.
c. Keep the child under observation for 4-24 hours depending on the
poison swallowed.
d. Transfer to hospital or health centre as soon as possible any child with
poisoning who is
- Unconscious on admission.
- Becoming drowsy or semiconscious.
- Has burns of the mouth and throat.
- Is in severe respiratory distress or cyanosed.
- Has signs of heart failure.
e. If you have a poisons book available — check for any special treatment
required.
PREVENTION
1. Teach parents to keep kerosene, drugs and other harmful things out of
reach of children.
2. Kerosene should not be kept in soft drink or beer bottles.
3. Advise parents on first aid for future occurrences i.e.,
• Give 1 cup of milk or water.
• Do not make the child vomit if he has swallowed kerosene, petrol,
petrol based products or if his mouth and throat have been burned.
• Make the child vomit if other poisons have been taken.
• Take the child to a health facility as soon as possible.
110
RESUSCITATION
1. General
Remember the ABCD of resuscitation – Airways, Breathing, Cardiac,
Drugs.
A. Airways
• Clear the airways: use suction
• Keep the airway open by lifting the chin and pulling the jaw forward
• Use a plastic (Guedel) airway if available
B. Breathing
Put oxygen or air into the lungs:
• Ventilation bag or
• Use mouth to mouth resuscitation
• Inflate the lungs about 20 times per minute.
C. Cardiac
Start external cardiac massage: if no response to ventilation
• Squeeze the heart against the backbone by pressing with your
hand over the sternum using 30 compression to 2 breaths
D. Drugs
• Adrenaline — if there is no heart beat.
Mix ½ ml adrenaline 1 in 1000 with 4½ ml of water for injection.
Give 1ml of this diluted adrenaline by 1 of the following methods:
- down the endotracheal tube if there is one. This is the best way.
- intravenously.
111
RESUSCITATION (continued)
2. Resuscitation of babies
Quickly dry the baby and keep him/her warm during the resuscitation.
A. Clear the airways (suction, and lift the chin and pull the jaw forward).
B. Get oxygen or air into the lungs
• Use a baby ventilation bag and mask or
• Frog breathing (using a nasal catheter and oxygen at 2-4
litres/minute) or
• Mouth to face resuscitation
A + B are far more important than giving drugs.
C. Cardiac - not usually required in neonatal resuscitation.
D. Drugs – most babies do not need drugs.
Drugs are only given if the baby is not breathing on his own when he is
pink and has a good pulse rate (more than 100/min) after doing Steps A
and B above.
• If mother has been given morphine or pethidine within four
hours of delivery, give the baby :
- narcan injection (0.4mg/ml) ¼ ml/kg IV or sublingually or
IM.
• If no improvement give 10% dextrose 5ml/kg IV over 5
minutes.
(or 4.3% dextrose if 10% not available).
IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE ALL YOUR EQUIPMENT READY
BEFORE THE BABY IS BORN.
112
RHEUMATIC FEVER AND RHUEMATIC HEART DISEASE
Rheumatic fever and rheumatic can follow streptococcus pyogenes infection
of the throat or skin. Some children present with fever and pains in the large
joints that may move from one joint to another. The infection can damage the
heart valves (especially the mitral and aortic valves), leading to respiratory
distress and heart failure. Children with mild disease may have a heart
murmur. Severe disease can present with fever, fast or difficult breathing, and
lethargy. They may have chest pain or fainting. Affected children are usually
over 5 years of age. Children in heart failure will have a fast heart rate,
respiratory distress and a large liver.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis of rheumatic fever is very important because penicillin prophylaxis
can prevent further episodes of rheumatic fever and avoid worsening damage
to the heart valves.
Acute rheumatic fever is diagnosed clinically (Jones criteria):
• Two major criteria or 1 major AND 2 minor criteria:
- Major criteria: new heart mumur, polyarthritis (swelling and pain
of many joints), chorea (abnormal movements), subcutaneous
nodules (raised swellings in skin), erythema marginatum (red rash)
- Minor criteria: fever, raised white cell count and ESR, prolonged
PR interval on ECG
If available, echocardiography is useful in confirming rheumatic heart disease.
MANAGEMENT
• Admit to hospital
• Aspirin (25mg per kg every 6 hours) until fever subsides then reduce
dose to 12.5mg per kg every 6 hours until joint pains subsided.
• If in heart failure: give frusemide (1mg/kg 6 hourly), digoxin (10
microgram/kg daily) and oxygen. Check for anaemia and give a blood
transfusion if the Hb<8mg/dL.
• If heart failure is severe give prednisolone (1mg/kg/day) orally instead of
aspirin
• Give iv crystapen or amoxil orally if able to swallow
• Refer to specialist if not improving
Follow-up care
• All children will need ongoing antibiotic prophylaxis. Give monthly
benzathine penicillin (37.5mg/kg IM, max 900mg) or daily Pen V
• Ensure vaccinations are up-to-date
• Review every 3-6 months
113
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIS)
All STIs should be reported to the Provincial Health Office
CONGENITAL SYPHILIS
• Sometimes the baby is born dead (stillborn)
• If born alive the baby may have:-
- Blisters or skin rash, often on the palms of the hands or soles of the
feet
- Bleeding spots (petechiae) or bruising
- Enlarged liver and spleen
- Prolonged jaundice
• Sometimes the baby may look normal at birth but within a few weeks
develops:
- Sores around the mouth.
- Bloody nasal discharge.
• Send blood from baby and mother for VDRL test if you can.
TREATMENT
a. Benzathine penicillin single (stat) dose IMI
Weight
No. of mls
No. of units
Less than 2.5 Kg
½ ml
120,000 units
More than 2.5 Kg
1 ml
240,000 units
b. Benzyl penicillin (crystapen ) IMI twice daily for 10 days
Weight
No. of mls
No. of units
Less than 2.5 Kg
¼ ml B.D.
125,000 units
More than 2.5 Kg
½ ml B.D.
250,000 units
c. Treat mother and father.
114
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STI's)(continued)
When mother has a positive VDRL test during pregnancy:-
• If baby is well with no signs of congenital syphilis:-
- Give single (stat) dose of benzathine penicillin IM (see p. 114).
- Check that both mother and father have been treated.
• If pale check Hb (many are anaemic)
• If baby has any signs of congenital syphilis:-
- Give single (stat) dose of benzathine penicillin IM. (see p. 114).
AND
- benzyl penicillin IM twice daily for 10 days (see p. 114).
• Check both parents have been treated.
GONORRHOEA
1. In babies – gonococcal conjunctivitis
• Presents as severe neonatal conjunctivitis
- Treat as for severe neonatal conjunctivitis (see p. 40)
- Treat mother and father for genital discharge syndrome and other
sexually transmitted diseases.
2. Genital discharge in young children
• Suspect vulvovaginitis in girls with purulent vaginal discharge. Pain on
passing urine may also be present.
- Send a swab for culture if you can.
TREATMENT FOR CHILD
Give one dose of azithromycin plus amoxycillin and augmentin, (amoxycillin
and clavulinic acid) and probenecid tablets
Weight
Azithromycin
Amoxycillin
Augmentin
Probenecid
Less than 10kg
½ tab (250mg)
1gm (4x250mg)
½ tab
½ tab
More than 10kg
1 tab (500mg)
1½ gm (6x250mg)
1 tab
1 tab
115
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STI's) (continued)
Confirmed gonococcal disease in a young child almost always means that the
child has been or is being sexually abused.
• Discuss the problem with a medical officer if you can.
• Check the child for evidence of other sexually transmitted diseases
(syphilis, HIV infection) and treat if present.
• Discuss the problem with the child's family if you feel this is the
right thing to do.
• Check the adult members of the family for evidence of sexually
transmitted disease and treat if present.
Remember: However you deal with this very difficult problem, your first
responsibility is to do what is best for the child.
HIV infection
See Child Abuse Section for HIV infection prophylaxis or ART (p.37).
PREVENTION IS BEST
HIV (AIDS) IS A PREVENTABLE DISEASE
ALL SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
ARE PREVENTABLE
116
SKIN DISEASES
BOILS OR ABSCESSES
a. If pus is present (the boil is fluctuant) treatment is incision and
drainage.
Antibiotics are not usually required.
b. If pus is not yet present:
• If the child is not sick
- check the abscess every day
- when PUS has formed " incise and drain.
• If the child has a high fever or looks sick or has multiple abscesses:
- give chloramphenicol oral or IM every 6 hours (see p.136)
- when pus has formed " incise and drain.
c. Remember: A febrile child with a hot, swollen and tender limb probably
has osteomyelitis (see p. 96).
IMPETIGO
Multiple crusting sores, usually on the face.
a. Clean scabs away with antiseptic, e.g. chlorhexidine (Savlon).
b. Apply crystal violet (gentian violet).
c. Give amoxicillin oral 3 times daily for 5 days (see p. 140) or
If no improvement after 5 days;
Change to cotrimoxazole (septrin)(p143) or erythromycin (see p. 144).
GRILE (ringworm, tinea imbricata)
a. Clean skin with soap and water.
b. Apply benzoic acid compound ointment half strength (Whitfield’s) OR
salicylic acid paint (grile lotion). Do not apply to the face. Apply to no
more than ¼ of the body on any one day. Use once a day for 4 weeks
If no improvement use griseofulvin tablets
SCABIES
a. Treat the mother as well as the child. Try to treat other members of the
family too. Encourage them to wash the whole body every day.
b. Wash the patient with soap and water.
c. Apply scabies lotion to all the body except the face
117
SKIN DISEASES (continued)
d. Explain to the mother:
• wash off the scabies lotion after 24 hours.
• wash clothes and blankets and dry them in the sun.
• return in 4 days for a second treatment
e. If the scabies is infected, treat with amoxycillin.
SORES AND ULCERS
a. Clean dirt and dead tissue away with antiseptic solution like sterile normal
saline.
b. If the sore is infected, painful, swollen and red, apply antiseptic
dressings (e.g. acriflavine) daily until the sore is clean and pink.
c. Make sure that ulcers, sores and cuts which are clean are kept clean.
Apply dry dressings every day.
d. If any of the sores are raised, consider yaws as a possible cause ( p. 137).
e. If there are many infected sores: give amoxycillin oral 3 times daily for
5 days (see p. 140).
f. If the ulcer is larger than a 10 toea coin give amoxycillin.
g. If the ulcer does not get better after amoxycillin, change to
cotrimoxazole (septrin) orally twice daily for 5 days (see p.143) and
tinidazole orally once daily for 3 days (see p. 148).
h. If the ulcer is bigger than a one Kina coin, it needs skin grafting when it
is clean.
PREVENTION OF SKIN DISEASES
Skin diseases can often be prevented by good skin hygiene. The use of soap
and water should be encouraged.
Advise parents:-
• Keep the skin clean. Use soap and water.
• Get treatment for small skin sores before they get big.
• Use of medicated soaps may prevent small skin sores becoming serious
118
SNAKE BITE
First aid (at the place where the child is bitten)
• Bandage the whole length of the bitten limb if possible, starting
from the hand or foot, and working towards the shoulder or thigh.
The bandage (or strip of cloth) should be as firm as an ankle
bandage. It should only be released when the patient is at a place
where antivenom is available.
• Splint the affected limb to prevent movement. Place child in left
lateral recovery position and keep airway clear
Admit
• All children who have definitely been bitten by a venomous snake
• All children who may have been bitten by a venomous snake.
Look for symptoms and signs of poisoning (envenomation)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Difficulty seeing properly
• Difficulty with breathing
• Painful lymph glands
• Weakness of limbs
• Drooping eyelids
• Dribbling of saliva
Check for blood clotting time
Take a blood sample, leave for 20 minutes without shaking in glass tube
or bottle. An abnormal test is if the blood has not clotted after 20 mins.
TREATMENT
a. No signs of envenomation and blood is clotted by 20 minutes:
• Keep on bed rest.
• Hourly observations for at least 12 hours after admission.
• If signs of envenomation appear treat as in section b.
• Tetanus toxoid ½ml IM stat.
• Do not touch the site of the bite
• Give amoxycillin for 5 days (see p. 140).
119
SNAKE BITE (continued)
b. Signs of poisoning (envenomation) or blood is not clotted after 20
minutes:
• Give 1 vial of snake antivenom as soon as you can.
Giving snake antivenom
• Rest the child in bed. Nurse on the side and keep airway clear.
• Set up a drip: with 1/5
th
saline + 4.3% dextrose (dextrose/saline)
• Give diluted adrenaline subcutaneously: Draw up ¼ ml of 1 in 1000
adrenaline in a syringe and make it up to 2 ½ml with sterile water
Doses of diluted adrenaline
Age (years)
Weight kg
Dose (ml)
1-3
Less than 11
1
4-7
11-15
1 ½
8-11
16-20
2
• Add 1 vial of snake antivenom to 100mls of 4.3% in 1/5 NS in a burette
and infuse over 30-60 minutes. Then run drip at maintenance rate (p.
149).
• Give tetanus toxoid ½ml IM stat.
• Do not touch the site of the bite.
• Give crystapen IV (p147) or amoxycillin for 5 days (see page 140).
If there is a mild reaction to the antivenom: (fever, skin rash)
• Give promethazine IM (see p 147)
• Continue giving the antivenom slowly over 1 hour, but if the symptoms
become severe (see below), stop
If there is a severe reaction (wheezing, shock with weak pulse)
• Immediately stop giving the antivenom.
• Give another dose of diluted adrenaline- intramuscularly
• Give hydrocortisone 100mg IV
• Give oxygen if available, and use an Ambu bag if patient stops breathing
120
SNAKE BITE (continued)
When the child is stabilized continue giving the antivenom slowly. If there
are no signs of the severe reaction subsiding after 30 minutes give one
more dose of diluted adrenaline intramuscularly.
Note: Nursing care is very important. Keep the airway clear and nurse
the child in the left lateral position. Early referral of severely envenomated
patients, patients who are deteriorating after antivenom, and in situations
where antivemon is not available may be lifesaving. Ensure the child is
nursed properly during transport
121
TUBERCULOSIS
DIAGNOSIS
Risk factors
• Household contact newly diagnosed with Sputum Smear positive PTB
• 3 years of age or less
• Severe Malnutrition
• HIV infection
Key features suggestive of TB: the presence of three or more of the following
should strongly suggest tuberculosis
• Chronic symptoms suggestive of TB
• Physical signs highly suggestive of TB
• A positive Mantoux
• Chest X-ray suggestive of TB
Diagnosis of Tuberculosis with the aid of the Paediatric Score Chart
Feature
0
1
2
3
4
Score
Length of illness (weeks)
< 2
2-4
> 4
Nutrition status (% of weight for
age)
>80
60-80
< 60
Family history of TB
None
Verbal
family
history
Proven
sputum
+ve
history
Significant Mantoux (…….MM)
Yes
Lymph nodes: large, painless,
firm, soft sinus in neck/axilla
Yes
Night sweats, unexplained fever
Yes
Angle deformity of spine
Yes
Malnutrition, not improving after
4 Weeks
Yes
Joint swelling, firm, non-fluid,
non-traumatic
Yes
Unexplained abdominal mass,
ascites
Yes
Coma for more than 48 hours
(with or without convulsions)
Send to hospital if possible
Yes
TOTAL
122
TUBERCULOSIS (continued)
HOW TO USE THE TB SCORE CHART
• Length of illness: This means how long the child has been sick with the
particular symptom e.g. cough, diarrhea, swollen neck glands. Previous
episode should not be counted if the child recovered completely from them.
• Nutritional status: This refers to the child’s position on the weight for age
chart in the clinic book. For children over five years, use an MUAC tape to
decide whether the child is thin or not (Green = 0, Yellow = 1, Red = 3)
• Family contact history of TB: Ask the child’s guardians directly about a
household contact history. If they give a convincing story of a close family
relative or contact that was thin and coughing up blood, then score 1. If your
Health Center has written evidence of positive sputum in a close family
member or contact then score 3.
• Positive PPD Mantoux: (read at 48 – 72 hrs)
o If 10mm or more irrespective of BCG status in well nourished children
o In HIV infection and/or severe malnutrition if 5mm or more
o In some children who have not received BCG vaccine, mantoux test induces
an accentuated response with ulceration, these group of patient should be
started on TB treatment
Note:
In PNG, because TB is endemic in many communities, many healthy children
will have a reactive Mantoux test, but will not require TB treatment. In
addition, many children who have TB infection will not have a reactive
Mantoux, because of malnutrition, HIV or other reasons. If a child has a
history of contact with sputum positive case and clinical signs suggestive
signs of TB, a non-reactive Mantoux should not be a reason for withholding
treatment.
• Enlarged painless rubbery neck glands: Feel the child’s neck from behind.
TB glands are usually stuck together (matted); don’t move easily under the
skin and non-painful. If in doubt and the child is otherwise well, treat with
amoxicillin or Erythromycin for 10 – 14 days and check the size of the glands
after 2 weeks. Other common conditions that cause swelling of the Neck in
children are reactive lymphadenitis from sore throat or scalp, dental abscess
from tooth infection, Burkitt’s lymphoma and Ludwig’s angina. The latter two
conditions need urgent referral to hospital.
123
TUBERCULOSIS (continued)
• Night sweats or unexplained fever: TB can cause recurrent fever, especially
at night, which does not respond to antimalarial or antibiotic treatment and
continues for more than two weeks.
• Angle deformity of spine: A sharp angle bend in the spine (backbone) is
almost always caused by TB. Check all children for this deformity by looking
and feeling the spine with your hand.
• Malnutrition not improved after one-month treatment: This refers to
patients admitted to the nutrition ward. If no weight gain after 1 month or
weight loss after 14 days score 3. This is after being on extra nutrition and has
been treated for infections and anaemia.
• Firm non-fluid non-traumatic swelling of a joint: TB arthritis is not acutely
painful. If pain is present always consider and treat for septic arthritis. Chronic
arthritis of the hip joint is TB until proven otherwise. If in doubt sent to
hospital.
• Unexplained abdominal swelling (ascites): Large spleen or liver should be
excluded as the cause of the swelling, but if the child’s abdomen feels
abnormally firm (doughy) or is fluid filled (ascites) or masses are palpable
which do not disappear with laxatives treatment, then score 3. A child with
abdominal distension who is vomiting needs urgent referral to hospital as the
child may have bowel obstruction,
• Coma for longer than 48 hours: TB Meningitis or Brain Tuberculoma (TB
abscess) can cause lowered level of consciousness (coma) with or without
convulsions. Sometimes a child with intracranial TB develops other
neurological signs e.g. blindness, double vision, hemiplegia or headache.
Almost always these signs develop slowly. Score 3 if coma has been present
for more than 48 hrs or the child has developed an unexplained neurological
sign. If onset of symptoms is rapid, do a lumbar puncture and treat according
to the result. If bacterial meningitis or cerebral malaria is suspected clinically,
refer to hospital.
Some other important management issues are as follows:
1. Nutritional status: most children with TB are malnourished. For
management of malnutrition refer to:
• This book p75-85.
• WHO Pocketbook of Hospital Care for Children (Chapter 7)
• Paediatrics for Doctors in PNG (pages 210-220)
124
TUBERCULOSIS (continued)
2. Always ensure provider-initiated testing and counseling (PITC) for HIV,
where facilities are available. Children with HIV will be malnourished as
well so for all severe malnourished children ensure PITC.
3. Manage other illnesses like pneumonia, anaemia, diarrhoea as per the
Standard Treatment Manual.
4. Always screen contacts like family and friends, by inquiring about history
of cough. If any adult has history of cough, use the diagnostic algorithm for
adult TB for diagnosis.
Use standard recording formats and report all TB cases to the Provincial TB
Programme Unit using standard quarterly "basic management unit" reporting
formats.
New Treatment Guidelines for Childhood Tuberculosis in PNG
The following are the major changes to the treatment categories and
regimens for childhood TB (compared to those in the 8
th
edition of the
Standard Treatment Manual for Common Illnesses of Children, 2005):
1. Categories of treatment: The childhood TB patients are categorized into
two treatment categories (Category I & Category II).
2. Use of fixed dose combination (FDC
1
)
drugs: Depending on the weight
of the patient, adult formulations (with four-drug, three-drug and two-
drug combination non-dispersible tablets) or pediatric formulations (with
three-drug and two-drug combination dispersible tablets) are used.
3. Treatment duration: Treatment duration for new cases is 6 months,
except in specific cases like TB meningitis, TB spine, TB abdomen, TB
pericarditis and TB lymphadenitis, where the health providers can
extend the continuation phase by three more months (similar to the
“special situations” listed in the 2005 STM).
4. Frequency of treatment: In the new protocol, the frequency of treatment
in both the intensive phase and the continuation phase is daily,
compared to the former protocol where the continuation phase was
thrice weekly.
5. Streptomycin Use for Retreatment Cases: Streptomycin is to be used
only for MDR cases where there is known drug susceptibility.
125
6. TUBERCULOSIS (continued)
Anti-Tuberculosis drug doses for Paediatric age group of <12
years old
The pharmacokinetics of anti-tuberculosis drugs is such that children
generally need higher doses (per kg body weight) than adults do to
achieve effective serum concentration.
Anti-TB Drug
Paediatric daily doses
Adult daily doses
Rifampicin
15 mg/kg
10 mg/kg
Isoniazid
10 mg/kg
5 mg/kg
Pyrazinamide
35 mg/kg
25 mg/kg
Ethambutol
20 mg/kg
15 mg/kg
Streptomycin
25 mg/kg
15 mg/kg
Categories of treatment for childhood TB
Category I: For (a) all new cases (patient who has definitely never taken anti-
TB drugs or who has taken anti-TB drugs for less than one month including
both SS-ve and SS +ve paediatric PTB patients
), including severe forms
(Seriously ill cases include children with symptomatic TB meningitis, miliary
TB, pulmonary TB with severe respiratory signs, bone and joint TB, spinal
TB, TB abdomen (ascites or severe abdominal distension), or severe
malnutrition (wasting)) , and (b) children who have failed to complete a full
course of treatment previously (i.e. defaulted from treatment) but are not
seriously ill (Non-seriously ill cases are those patients who seem clinically
well, based on signs and symptoms
)
Category II: For most re-treatment cases: relapse, treatment after default,
treatment after failure, others. However, those children who have failed to
complete a full course of treatment previously (i.e. defaulted from treatment)
but are not seriously ill should receive Category I.
126
TUBERCULOSIS (continued)
TREATMENT REGIMENS
For children in the weight band of 3kgs – 10.9kgs (using pediatric formulations)
Category I regimen (for all new cases, and non-seriously ill defaulters)
Intensive Phase: (RHZ)HE for 2 months, daily
Weight bands (in kg)
Rif:INAH:PZA
(Dispersible tabs)
60mg:30mg:150mg
Additional
INAH 100mg
Tab
Ethambutol
tabs
100mg
3 – 5.9
1 tab
¼ tab
1 tab
6 – 10.9
2 tabs
½ tab
1½ tab
Continuation Phase: (RH) for 4 months, daily (except in severe cases like TB
meningitis and TB spine where this phase should be of 7 months)
Rifampicin:Isoniazid (60mg:60mg)
3 – 5.9
1 tab
6 – 10.9
2 tabs
127
TUBERCULOSIS (continued)
Category II regimen (for all re-treatment cases, except for non-seriously ill defaulters)
Intensive Phase: (RHZ)HE daily for 3 months
Weight bands
(in kgs)
Rif:INAH:PZA
(Dispersible tabs)
60mg:30mg:150mg
Additional
INAH 100mg
Tab
Ethambutol tabs
100mg
3 – 5.9
1 tab
¼ tab
1 tab
6 – 10.9
2 tabs
½ tab
1½ tab
Continuation Phase: (RH)E for 5 months, daily
Rifampicin:Isoniazid
60mg:60mg
Ethambutol 100mg
3 – 5.9
1 tab
1 tab
6 – 10.9
2 tabs
1 ½ tabs
128
TUBERCULOSIS (continued)
For children in the weight bands of 11-30.9kgs and more, use adult kits with
additional INAH
Category I regimen (for all new cases, and non-seriously ill defaulters)
Intensive Phase: (RHZE)H for 2 months
Weight bands (in
kgs)
Rif: INAH:PZA: E tabs
150mg: 75mg: 400mg: 275mg
Additional INAH 100mg tab
11 – 15.9
1 tab
1 tab
16 – 20.9
2 tabs
1 tab
21-30.9
2 tabs
2 tabs
Continuation Phase: (RH) for 4 months, daily (except in severe cases like TB meningitis
and TB spine where this phase should be of 7 months)
Rif: INAH
150:75
Additional INAH 100mg tab
11 – 15.9
1 tab
1 tab
16 – 20.9
2 tabs
1 tab
21 – 30.9
2 tabs
2 tabs
129
TUBERCULOSIS (Continued)
Category II regimen (for all re-treatment cases, except for non-seriously ill defaulters)
Intensive Phase: (RHZE)H daily for 3 months
Weight bands
(in kgs)
Rif: INAH: PZA: E tabs
150mg: 75mg: 400mg: 275mg
Additional INAH 100mg tab
11 – 15.9
1 tab
1 tab
16 – 20.9
2 tabs
1 tab
21-30.9
2 tabs
2 tabs
Continuation Phase: (RHZ)H for 5 months, daily
Rif: INAH:Eth
150:75:275
Additional INAH 100mg tab
11 – 15.9
1 tab
1 tab
16 – 20.9
2 tabs
1 tab
21 – 30.9
2 tabs
2 tabs
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CHECK HOW LONG YOUR
PATIENT SHOULD BE ON TREATMENT AND TO MAKE
SURE THAT THE DRUG DOSES ARE CORRECT.
130
TUBERCULOSIS (Continued)
For children in the weight bands of 31kg and more, use adult kits as follows
Category I regimen (for all new cases, and non-seriously ill defaulters)
Intensive Phase: (RHZE) for 2 months
Weight bands (in
kgs)
Rif: INAH:PZA: E tabs
150mg: 75mg: 400mg: 275mg
30 – 39
2
40 – 54
3
Continuation Phase: (RH) for 4 months, daily (except in severe cases like TB meningitis and
TB spine where this phase should be of 7 months)
Weight bands (in
kgs)
Rif: INAH
150:75
30 – 39
2
40 – 54
3
Category II regimen (for all re-treatment cases, except for non-seriously ill defaulters)
Intensive Phase: (RHZE) daily for 3 months
Weight bands (in
kgs)
Rif: INAH:PZA: E tabs
150mg: 75mg: 400mg: 275mg
30 – 39
2
40 – 54
3
Continuation Phase: (RH)E for 5 months, daily
Rif: INAH
150:75
Ethambutol 400mg
30 – 39
2
2
40 – 54
3
4
131
TUBERCULOSIS (continued)
Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT)
Give Isoniazid Preventive Therapy to children who have a family or
household member known to be a sputum positive TB patient, and who is:
1. less than 5 years old, and not symptomatic for TB
2. HIV-infected, irrespective of age, and not symptomatic for TB
The doses of IPT are listed in the table. Studies have shown that 6 months of
IPT may be protective for two years. If such children are symptomatic for TB
i.e., have chronic cough, fever, weight loss, malnutrition, enlarged lymph
nodes or prolonged pneumonia, a pediatrician should fully evaluate them to
exclude active TB disease. If the child has TB, then s/he should receive full
anti-TB treatment. Never give IPT to children who are symptomatic for TB
without a proper evaluation.
Doses for Isoniazid Preventive Therapy:
IPT is effective in preventing TB infection for children with HIV. However it
is essential that TB infection, if present, is diagnosed and a full treatment
course given. IPT for children with HIV may need to be given for 6 to 9
months, and should be given with Septrin (cotrimoxazole). Antiretroviral
therapy in children with HIV improves immune function and also reduces the
risk of TB infection. Consult a paediatrician on the management of all
children with suspected HIV and TB.
Weight
H (100mg)
tabs
3 - 5.9 kg
½ tab
6 - 10.9 kg
1 tab
11 - 15.9 kg
1½ tab
16 - 20.9 kg
2 tab
21 - 30.9 kg
3 tab
31 - 45.9 kg
3 tab
132
TUBERCULOSIS (continued)
Failure to Respond to Treatment
If a patient is failing to respond in spite of directly observed treatment (DOT)
with first-line drugs, the possibility of resistance arises and peripheral health
facilities should refer such patients to a major centre urgently. Where you
cannot be sure whether a re-treatment case has taken a full course of treatment
previously or has defaulted, you should treat the case as a Category II patient
and refer the case to a pediatrician for further assessment
Steps to consider multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB)
• MDR-TB should be a laboratory diagnosis.
• Clinically consider MDR-TB in children known to have TB disease with
any of the following features:
a. Contact with a known case of drug resistant TB
b. Remains sputum smear-positive after 3 months of treatment
c. Not responding to the anti-TB treatment regimen
d. Recurrence of TB after adherence to treatment
REMEMBER – PREVENTION IS BEST.
SEVERE TUBERCULOSIS IS PREVENTED BY BCG AND BY
FINDING AND TREATING SPUTUM POSITIVE ADULTS
133
TYPHOID
A child may have typhoid if he/she:
• comes from an area where typhoid is common
• has persisting fever
• has one or more of the following:
- headache - diarrhoea (with or without blood).
- abdominal pain - confusion
- abdominal tenderness - talking nonsense
- abdominal distension - dehydration
- constipation - looking or feeling very sick
If you think the child has typhoid:
1. Admit to hospital or health centre*
*Start treatment and transfer urgently to hospital if the child:
- has a distended tender abdomen
- has rectal bleeding or melaena(black, sticky stools)
- has severe abdominal pain
- is unconscious or confused.
2. Do a 'Widal' blood test if possible to confirm the diagnosis.
A titre of 1:160 or higher is likely to indicate true typhoid fever but a
titre of < 1:80 may indicate previous exposure.
TREATMENT
1. Chloramphenicol for at least 2 weeks; 3 weeks if possible.
Give intramuscularly 6 hourly to start with and change to oral when the
patient improves (doses see p. 142).
If not responding to CMP use ciprofloxacin (p138).
If you do not have chloramphenicol or ciprofloxacin, give
ampicillin/amoxycillin (p. 140) for 3 weeks, or cotrimoxazole (p. 143)
for at least 2 weeks.
2. Antimalarials Test and treat if positive (see p. 67).
134
TYPHOID (continued)
3. Fluids
a. If dehydrated: rehydrate with either ORS or intravenous ½ strength
Darrow's Solution. (see p.149).
b. If not dehydrated:
i) If vomiting or the child has a distended, tender abdomen
- give intravenous maintenance fluids. (see p. 149).
ii) If not vomiting and the abdomen is soft
- give milk and other oral fluids.
4. Nutrition rehabilitation
Children who have typhoid need extra nutrition to build themselves back
to normal.
a. Give extra food
b. Give 1ml multiple vitamin liquid daily.
Note: Even with the correct treatment, the child may take 1 to 2 weeks to get
better. The fever may remain for up to a week.
PREVENTION
Typhoid is spread by poor hygiene.
Advise patient and parents:
• to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after toilet.
• to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before cooking and
eating.
• to check they use clean, safe drinking water
• to be careful about buying "fast foods" and ready to eat cooked food
and ice-creams from unhygienic places.
At the present time the typhoid vaccine is not very important in typhoid
prevention. Emphasis must be placed on hygiene.
135
URINARY SYMPTOMS
1. Pain on passing urine:
• If possible, collect a urine sample for microscopy (and culture)
• Look at the urine in a glass bottle.
- If it is cloudy treat for urinary infection.
Give cotrimoxazole (septrin see p. 143) twice a day for 1 week,
or nitrofurantoin.
Arrange for the child to be checked by a doctor later.
- If it is clear check the penis or vulva to see if there is any cause
for pain.
2. Passing blood in the urine:
• All children passing blood in the urine should be admitted to hospital
or health centre for investigation and treatment.
• If oedema is present, start treatment with amoxycillin oral daily for 10
days (see p. 140). Measure the blood pressure. If more than 120/90,
discuss the problem with a doctor.
• If there is no oedema, start treatment with cotrimoxazole (see p. 143).
Arrange for the child to be checked by a doctor later.
• If bleeding continues after 2 days treatment, refer patient to hospital.
Urine collection (see Paediatrics for doctors in PNG, p. 378)
136
YAWS
Yaws is becoming more common again in Papua New Guinea. It usually occurs
in children over the age of 6 years, and is most common in coastal areas.
The first sign of yaws is a skin sore that is:
• Raised and reddish brown, with a yellow crust
• Usually on the leg
• Usually painless
• Sometimes ulcerated
• Unresponsive to standard sore treatments
• Heals slowly over a few months.
Later, many children develop bony problems. These usually start with chronic
pain in the long bones and swellings of the fingers, forearms, legs and bridge of
the nose. The skin sore may have healed by this stage.
The VDRL test is positive.
TREATMENT
Give a single dose of IM benzathine penicillin
Benzathine penicillin 2,400,000 units dilute with 5ml sterile water
Weight (kg)
Dose (ml) IM
Weight (Kg)
Dose (ml) IM
3-9.9
1
30-39.9
4
10-19.9
2
40-49.9
5
20-29.9
3
Adult
5
The sores, pains and bone problems get better very quickly
Treat close contacts with benzathine penicillin.
Notify your provincial health office.
136
TABLES OF DRUG DOSES
MAINTENANCE DOSES OF COMMONLY USED DRUGS
(CHILDREN OLDER THAN 1 MONTH)
DOSE PER KILOGRAM BODY WEIGHT, and NUMBER OF DOSES EACH DAY.
Drug
Dose/kg
No. of doses per
day
Route
Antibiotics
1. Amoxycillin
25mg
3
Oral
2. Ampicillin
50mg
4
IM,IV or Oral
3. Azithromycin
15mg
1
Oral
4 Ceftriaxone
5. Chloramphenicol
50mg
25mg
2
4
IM,IV
IM, IV or Oral
6. Ciprofloxacillin
7. Cloxacillin/Flucloxacillin
10mg
25mg
2
4
Oral
IM, IV or oral
8. Cotrimoxazole
5mg trimethoprim
2
Oral
9. Crystapen
25,000u
4
IM or IV
10. Erythromycin
10mg
4
Oral
11 Gentamicin
5-7.5 mg
1
IM or IV
12 Metronidazole
15mg
3
oral or rectal
13. Tinidazole
50mg
1
Oral
Anti TB
1. Ethambutol
20mg
1
Oral
2. Isoniazid
10mg
1
Oral
4. Pyrazinamide
35mg
1
Oral
5. Rifampicin
15mg
1
Oral
138
MAINTENANCE DOSES OF COMMONLY USED DRUGS
(CHILDREN OLDER THAN 1 MONTH)
DOSE PER KILOGRAM BODY WEIGHT, and NUMBER OF DOSES EACH DAY.
Drug
Dose/kg
No. of doses per
day
Route
Anticonvulsants
1. Carbamazepine
5-10mg
2
Oral
2. Phenobarbitone
5mg
1
IM, IV or oral
3. Phenytoin
3mg
2
IV or oral
Antimalarials
1. Camoquin
10mg
1
Oral
2. Chloroquine
10mg
1
Oral
3. Quinine
10mg
3
Oral
10mg
2
IM
4. Artemether
3.2mg day 1
1.6mg day 2 +
1
IM
5. Artesunate
4mg day 1
2mg day 2+
1
Oral
Bronchodilators
1. Aminophylline
5mg
4
IV or oral
2. Salbutamol
0.15mg
4
Oral
3. Salbutamol
respirator
solution
0.03mls (make up to
2 mls with sterile
water or normal
saline)
6
Nebuliser
Cardiac
1. Digoxin
10micrograms
1
IM or oral
2. Frusemide
1mg
2
IV, IM or oral
139
TABLE OF DRUG DOSES
WEIGHT (Kilograms)
3–5.9
6–9.9
10–14.9
15–19.9
20–29.9
30–39.9
40–49.9
Adult
Adrenalin Amp. 1/1000 in 1ml
Subcutaneous
ml
—
—
—
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.5
0.5
Albendazole Tab 200mg
(must be crushed or chewed)
tab
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
Aminophylline
— Amp. 250mg/10ml IV over 1 hour
— (put in burette) every 6 hours
ml
—
1.5
2
3
4
6
8
10
— Elixir 25mg/5ml every 6 hours, oral
ml
—
6
10
15
—
—
—
—
— Tab. 100mg, every 6 hours, oral
tab
—
¼
½
¾
1
1
1
1
Amodiaquine (infant camoquin)
Tab 100mg
Treatment: daily for 3 days, oral
tab
See page 41
Use Chloroquine
Prophylaxis: weekly dose, oral
tab
¼
½
1
1
Use Chloroquine
Amoxycillin
Tabs 250mg. 3 times daily oral
tab
½
½
¾
1
1½
2
2
2
Amoxycillin suspension
125mg/5ml three times daily oral
ml
5
71/2
10
10
Ampicillin or Amoxycillin
Vial 250mg (add 1ml sterile water)
IM/IV every 6 hours
ml
1
1.5
2
2
2
2
2
2
140
Artemether 20mg/
Lumefantrine 120mgTab or Coartem
Artesunate tablets 50mg
Artesunate suppository
Artesunate 60mg in 6ml iv injection
Artesunate 60mg in 3ml im injection
Artemisinin/Piperaquine
Primaquine 7.5mg tabs
See Tables in Malaria section
141
TABLE OF DRUG DOSES
WEIGHT (Kilograms)
3–5.9
6–9.9
10–14.9
15–19.9
20–29.9
30–39.9
40–49.9
Adult
Aspirin
Tab. 300mg, every 6 hours, oral*
tab
—
¼
½
½
1
1½
2
2
* Do not use aspirin to treat fever in children less than 10 years of age- use paracetamol
Atropine Amp. 0.6mg/ml, IM
ml
—
¼
¼
¼
½
¾
¾
1
Benadryl, see diphenhydramine
Camoquin—see amodiaquine
Ceftriaxone, twice daily IM dose
mg
Calculate exactly 50mg per kg
Chloral hydrate 150mg/5ml, oral
ml
5
10
15
20
20
20
20
20
Chloramphenicol
— Vial 1 gram (add 4ml sterile water)
IV or IM every 6 hours.
ml
see
p.57
1½
2
2½
3
3
4
— Susp. 125mg/5ml, every 6 hours, oral
ml
see
p.58
12
15
—
—
—
—
— Cap. 250mg, every 6 hours, oral.
cap
—
—
1
1
2
2
3
4
Chloroquine Tab 150mg base
— Treatment: daily for 3 days, oral
tab
¼
½
1
See page 41
— Prophylaxis: weekly dose, oral
tab
¼
½
½
1
1
1½
1½
2
Clofazimine(Lamprene) Cap 100mg
— every second day, oral
cap
1
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
— daily, oral
cap
—
—
1
1
1
1
1
1
142
TABLE OF DRUG DOSES
WEIGHT (Kilograms)
3–5.9
6–9.9
10–14.9
15–19.9
20–29.9
30–39.9
40–49.9
Adult
Cloxacillin
— Vial 250mg (add 1½ml sterile water)
IM or IV every 6 hours
ml
¼
½
1
1
1½
2
2
2
— Cap. 250mg, every 6 hours, oral.
cap
—
—
1
1
1
1
1
2
Cotrimoxazole (septrin)
— Susp. 40mg/5ml Trimethoprim,
twice daily, oral
ml
2½
5
7½
10
—
—
—
—
— Tabs 80mg Trimethoprim, twice daily
tab
—
½
½
1
1½
2
2
2
Dapsone (DDS) Tab 50mg
— Daily for 12 weeks
tab
½
½
½
½
1
1½
1½
2
— THEN either twice a week at clinic
tab
1½
1½
1½
1½
3
5
5
6
Or daily at home
tab
½
½
½
½
1
1½
1½
2
Diazepam (valium) 10mg/2ml
— slow IV (rectal: see p.22)
ml
¼
½
½
¾
1
2
2
2
Diethylcarbamazine Tab 50mg
(hetrazan)
— 3 times a day for 3 weeks, oral .
tab
¼
¼
½
½
1
1½
1½
2
143
TABLE OF DRUG DOSES
WEIGHT (Kilograms)
3–5.9
6–9.9
10–14.9
15–19.9
20–29.9
30–39.9
40–49.9
Adult
Digoxin (lanoxin) every 6 hours
— Elixir 50microgram/ml, oral, 3 doses.
ml
2
3
5
—
—
—
—
—
— Tab 0.25mg, oral, 3 doses.
tab
—
—
—
1
1
1
1
1
Then maintenance if needed:
— Elixir 50microgram/ml, oral, daily.
ml
1
1½
2½
3
—
—
—
—
— Tab 0.25mg, oral, daily.
tab
—
—
—
—
1
1
1
1
Dihydroartemisinin (40mg) –
piperaquine 320mg fixed formulation
Tabs
tab
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
— Elixir,10mg/5ml, 3 times a day, oral.
ml
2
4
6
8
10
use promethazine
Electrolyte mixture
- (Zinc, Potassium and Magnesium)
Doses for malnutrition an diarrhoea
ml
ml
5
5
5
10
5
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
Erythromycin Susp. 125mg/5ml
— 4 times daily, oral.
ml
2
3
5
7
10
—
—
—
Ethambutol Tab. 400mg, daily, oral
tab
—
—
—
1
1
1½
1½
2
Fefol 200 mg Ferrous Sulphate
tab
---
¼
½
½
1
1
1½
2
Ferrous fumarate (46 mg/5ml)
Oral once daily
ml
2½
5
---
---
---
---
---
---
Flagyl — see metronidazole
144
TABLE OF DRUG DOSES
WEIGHT (Kilograms)
3–5.9
6–9.9
10–14.9
15–19.9
20–29.9
30–39.9
40–49.9
Adult
Frusemide (lasix) Amp. 20mg/2ml
— IM or IV.
ml
½
¾
1
1½
2
2
2
2
Gentamicin Vial, 80mg/2ml
— IM, once daily (7.5mg/kg)
ml
0.75
1.25
2
2.5
3.5
5
6
6
Ipecacuanha syrup give once,oral
ml
—
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
Iron (imferon) Amp. 2ml or 5ml.
Do not give more than 5ml per day.
ml
3
5
7
10
15
20
20
20
Isoniazid (Inah) Tab. 100mg, oral:
— DAILY for 2 months
tab
½
1
1½
2
3
3
3
3
— THEN twice a week
tab
1
1½
2½
3
4½
6
7½
9
Ketamine (ketalar) 500mg/10ml.
— IM — first dose.
ml
¾
1½
2½
3½
5
7½
7½
10
— next dose (if needed)
ml
½
¾
1½
2
2½
4
4
5
Lanoxin— see digoxin
Lasix— see frusemide
Magnesium hydroxide mixture (milk
of magnesia), oral
ml
—
2
5
10
10
15
15
20
145
TABLE OF DRUG DOSES
WEIGHT (Kilograms)
3–5.9
6–9.9
10–14.9
15–19.9
20–29.9
30–39.9
40–49.9
Adult
Mebendazole Tab. 100mg
tab
½
½
1
1
1
1
1
1
Inpatient, twice daily for 3 days, oral.
tab
—
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
Outpatient, Single dose, oral.
tab
½
1
1½
2
2
3
3
4
Metronidazole (flagyl) Tab. 200mg
or 250mg, 3 times daily for 5 days, oral.
— For Bloody Diarrhoea
tab
½
½
1
1
1½
1½
2
2
— For Big Skin sores
ml
—
—
¼
¼
½
¾
1
1½
Morphine Amp. 10mg/ml
(NOT 15mg/ml), IM every 6 hours.
ml
_
_
1/4
1/4
1/2
3/4
1
11/2
Nitrofurantoin
ml
—
2½
5
5
7½
10
—
—
Paracetamol Suspension
4 times daily oral.
ml
1
1½
2½
3
4
5
7½
10
Paraldehyde Amp. 5ml, IM
Use a glass syringe:
ml
1
1 ½
2½
3
4
5
7½
10
146
TABLE OF DRUG DOSES
WEIGHT (Kilograms)
3–5.9
6–9.9
10–14.9
15–19.9
20–29.9
30–39.9
40–49.9
Adult
Penicillin
— Benzyl (crystalline) Vial
1,000,000u (add 2ml sterile water)
IM or IV every 6 hours
ml
½
½
1
1
1½
2
2
2
— Benzathine Vial, 2,400,000u,
Yaws add 5ml sterile water, IM stat
ml
1
1
2
2
3
4
5
5
Pethidine Amp.50mg/ml or100mg/2ml
— usual dose, IM
ml
—
—
¼
½
½
¾
1
1
— for very severe pain, IM
ml
—
¼
½
¾
1
1½
2
2
Phenobarbitone Tab 30mg, oral.
Amp. 200mg mg/ml
Loading dose once, IM
ml
¼
½
¾
1
1
1
1
1½
Oral
tab
2
3
5
6
7
7
7
8
Maintenance Dose daily, oral
tab
½
1
2
3
4
5
5
6
Phenytoin Cap. or tab. 30mg NOT 100mg,
Maintenance dose daily, oral
cap
1
2
2
3
4
5
6
8
Promethazine (Phenergan)
— Tab 25mg. 2 times a day, oral
tab
use diphenhydramine
1
1
1
— Amp. 50mg/2ml, IM or IV once
ml
—
¼
½
¾
1
1½
2
2
147
TABLE OF DRUG DOSES
WEIGHT (Kilograms)
3–5.9
6–9.9
10–14.9
15–19.9
20–29.9
30–39.9
40–49.9
Adult
Pyrazinamide Tab 500mg
tab
¼
½
¾
1
1½
2
2
3
Rifampicin Susp 100mg/5ml
ml
2½
5
7½
10
—
—
—
—
Tab 150mg
tab
—
—
—
—
2
3
3
4
Quinine Tab 300mg.
— 3 times a day for 3 days, oral
tab
see p. 43
1½
1½
2
— Amp. 120mg/2ml or 600mg/10ml
ml
see p. 43
6
8
10
Salbutamol (ventolin)
Tab 4mg. 4 times daily oral
tab
—
¼
¼
½
½
1
1
1
Respirator Solution through
nebuliser (see p.8 for dilution)
ml
¼
¼
½
½
½
½
½
½
Septrin: see cotrimoxazole)
Tinidazole Tab. 500mg(see p.32, 34)
tab
¼
½
1
1½
2
3
4
4
Valium: see diazepam
Ventolin: see salbutamol
148
IV and Oral Fluid Calculation When Using the Paediatric IV Giving Set
IV AND ORAL FLUIDS
WEIGHT (Kilograms)
3–5.9
6–9.9
10–14.9
15–19.9
20–29.9
30–39.9
40–49.9
Adult
IV fluids requirements
Normal maintenance
4.3% Dextrose in 0.18% N/Saline
ml/hr
drops/min
18
18
30
30
45
45
55
55
65
65
75
75
90
90
120
120
Meningitis, Heart failure, Coma
Do not give oral fluid as well
4.3% Dextrose in 0.18% N/Saline
ml/hr
drops/min
12
12
20
20
30
30
36
36
44
44
50
50
60
60
80
80
Diarrhoea (½ strength Darrows)
— quickly if dehydrated
— then
ml
ml/hr
drops/min
100
25
25
150
50
50
250
75
75
350
100
100
500
100
100
700
150
150
900
150
150
1000
150
150
Burns (0.9% Sodium Chloride)
— quickly if more than 10% burn
— then
ml
ml/hr
drops/min
100
25
25
150
50
50
250
75
75
350
100
100
500
100
100
700
150
150
900
150
150
1000
150
150
Oral fluid requirements:
Maintenance give every 3 hours
(6 times a day) oral or N/G tube
ml
120
240
300
350
400
450
450
500
Diarrhoea with dehydration
O.R.S., oral or N/G tube
— FAST
— THEN every hour for 4 hours
ml
ml
100
50
150
100
250
150
350
200
500
300
500
400
500
500
500
600
Meningitis, heart failure, coma.
If patient not drinking and unable to insert
IV, give N/G fluid
4 times a day, oral
ml
100
150
200
250
300
350
350
350
149
IV and Oral Fluid Calculation When Using the Adult IV Giving Set
IV AND ORAL FLUIDS
WEIGHT (Kilograms)
3–5.9
6–9.9
10–14.9
15–19.9
20–29.9
30–39.9
40–49.9
Adult
IV fluid requirements
Normal maintenance
4.3% Dextrose in 0.18% N/Saline
ml/hr
drops/min
18
5
30
8
45
11
55
14
65
16
75
19
90
23
120
30
Meningitis, Heart failure, Coma
Do not give oral fluid as well
4.3% Dextrose in 0.18 % N/Saline
ml/hr
drops/min
12
3
20
5
30
8
36
9
44
11
50
13
60
15
80
20
Diarrhoea (½ strength Darrows)
— quickly if dehydrated
— then
ml
ml/hr
drops/min
100
25
7
150
50
13
250
75
20
350
100
25
500
100
25
700
150
40
900
150
40
1000
150
40
Burns (0.9% Sodium Chloride)
— quickly if more than 10% burn
— then
ml
ml/hr
drops/min
100
25
7
150
50
13
250
75
20
350
100
25
500
100
25
700
150
40
900
150
40
1000
150
40
Oral fluid requirements:
Maintenance give every 3 hours
(6 times a day) oral or N/G tube
ml
120
240
300
350
400
450
450
500
Diarrhoea with dehydration
O.R.S., oral or N/G tube
— FAST
— THEN every hour for 4 hours
ml
ml
100
50
150
100
250
150
350
200
500
300
500
400
500
500
500
600
Meningitis, heart failure, coma.
If patient not drinking and unable to insert
IV, give N/G fluid
4 times a day, oral
ml
100
150
200
250
300
350
350
350
150
Produced by the Paediatric Society of Papua New Guinea
Copies of this book can be obtained from:
Provincial Health Advisor
CEO of Provincial Health Authority
Provincial Paediatricians
Or
The Secretary,
Paediatric Society of Papua New Guinea
Paediatric Discipline,
Clinical Sciences Division
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
PO Box 5623
Borok